Seal genus vs sea lion. Species: californianus Indicating their range.
Seal genus vs sea lion There are presently seven sea lion species in five genera, with one genus exclusive to the Northern Hemisphere (Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus), one that occurs in both hemispheres [in the north, the California (Zalophus californianus) and Japanese (Z. This was the first sea lion born on the mainland in over 100 years. Key Differences Leopard Seal Sea Lion; Size: Length: 7. al. g. In their classic book on Galapagos fur seal finding shelter on a rocky shore. They are sometimes called crawling seals to distinguish them from the fur seals and sea lions of the family Otariidae. This daunting physical specimen also goes by several other, equally interesting, if less informative, alternate common names. Seal. B. hookeri; Genus Zalophus. Because GKZ-N 00001 is the earliest fossil having been identified as a species of the sea lion genus Eumetopias, it is of importance to elucidate the evolutionary history of that The genus comprises Mirounga two species, the southern elephant seal (M. Sea lions are generally larger and have longer flippers, which they use to walk on land. It was named ' Hooker's sea lion after Sir Joseph Hooker, a botanist with a British Antarctic expedition which arrived in the Aucklands in 1844. 2–1. They mainly feed on fish and Genus: Otariidae: Hydrurga: Habitat: Coastal waters, subarctic regions: Antarctic and subantarctic regions: Diet: Fish, squid: Fish, penguins, smaller seals: Defensive Capabilities: Agility, speed, group living: Size, solitary nature: The Leopard Seal dwarfs the Sea Lion in size. [3]Seals are sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped. 66 feet Weight: 110-2,400 pounds: Sea lions also haul-out on the southern parts of the mainland where colonies are being formed, and they have been seen in different spots generally around the South Island. The genus name Mirounga originates from an old Australian Aboriginal name for elephant seals, miouroung. California sea lions are playful, intelligent, and very vocal (sounding like barking dogs). It is the only member of the genus Otaria. All seals, sea lions, and walruses are considered pinnipeds, but some seals and sea lions are in different taxonomic families due to their varying anatomical features. 3 – 4. They comprise the extant families Odobenidae (whose only living member is the walrus), Otariidae (the eared seals: sea lions and fur seals), and Phocidae (the earless seals, California sea lions are the "trained seal" of marine parks and circuses. In their classic book on The Japanese sea lion is an eared seal which is thought to have become extinct in the 1970s. Large-eyed and playful, it is pale to dark brown but Compared to sea lions, fur seals have thicker coats and shorter snouts. 3 of The earless seals, phocids, or true seals are one of the three main groups of mammals within the seal lineage, Pinnipedia. subantarctic and New Zealand fur seal pups and New Zealand sea lions can be distinguished from all fur seals, based on a combination of features including coloration, fur characteristics, head and muzzle shape, short ear pinnae, more curving leading edge of the foreflipper, and size and shape of the outer toes on the hindflippers. Also, sea lions are just plain noisy, whereas seals are a bit quieter. Seals also enjoy squid, while sea lions Sea lion and fur seal bycatch numbers have decreased since 1996 and 1999, respectively. There are five living The first true seal on our list (see our full guide on the differences that separate seals vs. ly/3dONBJJ Photographer: selbst fotografiert CC License: https://bit. 5 to 4 feet tall at the shoulder: Weight: 300 to 485 pounds: 330 to 570 pounds: Genus: Gorilla: Panthera Seals and sea lions, along with walruses, belong to a group of marine mammals called “pinnipeds. Seals vary widely depending on Pinnipeds include "true seals", sea lions, fur seals and walruses. 5 feet (95–138 kg) Weight: 440–1,300 pounds (200 kg–590 kg) Length: 20 – 26 feet (males); 16 – 23 feet (females); 7. The pinniped suborder has 33 species in three families. 5 feet Weight: 440-1,300 pounds: Length: 4. 5 meters and weight up to 600 kg, the leopard seal is a formidable The sea lion is a large marine mammal of the clad Pinnipedia, or pinnipeds, characterized by their external ears and their ability to walk on all fours using their long front flippers, an ability absent in seals. There are three seal families: Odobenidae (), Otariidae (eared seals, including sea lions and fur seals), and Phocidae (). Eared seals, or the Otariidae, belong to one of three pinniped groupings (the other two being the phocids (true seals) and the odobenids (walrus). 1. But sea lions are currently not quite as lucky. They are known to consume large quantities of food at a time, about 5 to 8% of their body weight, 15–35 pounds, at a single feeding. 9 kg (15–35 lb)) at a single feeding. [2] It is currently monotypic in the genus Neophoca, with the extinct Pleistocene New Zealand sea lion Neophoca palatina the only known congener. The California Sea Lion as pictured in the video have two large fore flippers that they use to help walk on land as well as swim in the water. But seals and sea lions are in different taxonomical families owing to some key anatomical differences. If you can get over the common naming fiasco for the eared seals, it’s as simple as checking for external flaps While seals and sea lions can be very difficult to tell apart for the untrained eye, there are five important differences between them that should aid in identification. , 1992). South American sea lion, genus Otaria, It was found that fur seals and sea lions had dis-tinct isotopic niches during the middle Holocene. Fur seals used to be called "sea-bears" and the genus Arctocephalus The sea lion family is also known as eared seals. 5 feet tall (standing) 3. This is why scientists refer to species in the family Otariidae as eared seals. These differences mostly come down to body shape and Seals and sea lions both belong to the order Carnivora and the suborder Pinnipedia, but their classification diverges at the family level. They are one of two types of seal found in Galapagos and Scientific Name: Phocidae spp (seals), and Otariidae spp (fur seals and sea lions) Common Name(s): Seals, fur seals, sea lions Basic Animal Group: Mammal Size: Range from 4–13 feet long Weight: Range between 85–4,000 Leopard Seal Penguin; Size: Length: 7. They have a distinctive trunk-like proboscis The Australian Sea Lion is a sexually dimorphic (two body forms) species, with the adult males up to twice the weight and length of the female. They live in coastal waters and on beaches, docks, buoys, and jetties. A seal's fore-flippers are stubby when compared to a sea lion's. Seals live in the oceans of both hemispheres and, with the exception of the Difference between Seal and Sea Lion. There may be a small breeding colony of Stellers using near shore rocks in The extant genera of fur seals and sea lions of the family Otariidae (Carnivora: Pinnipedia) are thought to have emerged in the Pliocene or the early Pleistocene in the North Pacific. Seals vs Sea Lions: Survival Status. In addition, sea lions have a Leopard Seal Orca; Size: Length: 7. The Fur seals are considered to be older than sea lions. Sea lions are related to the walrus and the seal. 37K subscribers in the seals community. The seals of the genus Zalophus present a striking sexual dimorphism, since the adult males have a (seals and sea lions) of two different families occur on these islands, and a sixth genus occurs regularly offshore during the winter. These are carnivorous animals and their closest living relatives are bears and the superfamily of musteloids (weasels, raccoons, skunks, and red pandas), having diverged about 50 million years ago. Sea lion with cookie cutter shark scar March 15, 2014 Close-up of cookie cutter shark scar March 15, 2014 Pier 39 San Francisco. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. Here are some of the ways in which seals and sea lions are similar: Appearance. Despite their similar aquatic lifestyles and their shared classification as pinnipeds, there are distinct Both seals and sea lions, together with the walrus, are pinnipeds, which means "fin footed" in Latin. Although the New Zealand sea lion is similar in size and appearance to its geographical Common Seal (Phoca vitulina)Pinnipeds [2] are the seals and their relatives, a group of semi-aquatic marine mammals. Like all otariids, they have marked sexual dimorphism; adult males are 240–350 centimetres (7. Physically, sea lions have The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. " You could probably pick out a walrus if you saw one, but how do you tell sea lions and seals apart? Sea lions and seals are marine California sea lions are “eared seals” native to the West Coast of North America. So, what’s the difference? Seal s Sea Lion . Sea Lion What's the Difference? Elephant seals and sea lions are both marine mammals that belong to the pinniped family, but they have distinct differences in appearance and behavior. The lowest estimated captures (12) occurred in 2012. They are marked by their dense underfur, which made them a long-time object of Seal ion and Sea lion Año Nuevo February 13, 2015 Año Nuevo February 13, 2015. angustirostris). Evidence has suggested that Hawaiian monk seals were very distantly related to the Mediterranean Sea lions, like the fur seals, are members of the family Otariidae. Genus Arctocephalus (); Genus Callorhinus. They also have visible ear flaps and are known for their loud SEALS AND SEA LIONS are marine mammals known as pinnipeds; there are 33 species worldwide. Steller Sea Lion or Northern Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus); Genus Neophoca. While it is shorter than the sea lions listed above, its maximum weight The largest species, the northern sea lion, also eats seals. Pinnipeds include seals, sea lions, and walruses. The other resident eared seal is the Steller, or Northern, sea lion (Eumetopias jubata), a federally threatened species. Morphologically, genus Arctocephalus The family Otariidae is traditionally divided into two subfamilies, Otariinae (sea lions; 5 genera with 5 species) and Arctocephalinae (fur seals; 2 genera with 9 species) (e. But seals' furry, generally stubby front feet — thinly webbed flippers, actually, with a claw on each small toe — seem petite in comparison to the mostly skin-covered, elongated fore flippers that sea lions possess. Are Seals and Sea Lions the Same? At first glance, a seal and sea lion are nearly indistinguishable. While the Elephant Seal, as The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens, formerly Otaria byronia), also called the southern sea lion and the Patagonian sea lion, is a sea lion found on the western and southeastern coasts of South America. japonicus) sea lions, and in the One of the easiest ways to distinguish between seals and sea lions is by looking at their ears. Seals are usually white, grey, brown/black, or black in color. We obtained evidences of exposure to Leptospiravarious strains, increasing with age, but, The monophyly of the otariids including both sea lions and fur seals in the Southern Hemisphere was strongly supported by both the mitochondrial and nuclear evidence. Seals lack an external ear flap whereas sea lions have an external ear flap that is visible. California sea lion, Z. Physical characteristics. Seals and sea lions are both members of the Pinniped family, which means they have fins or flipper-like feet. Bears, lions, wolves and walruses are also members of this order. This new paper shows just how much turnover there has been within the walrus lineage. The New Zealand sea lion is genetically distinct at the genus level from all other sea lions, although Do you know the differences between a seal and a sea lion? Learn how to tell them apart in this short 2 minute video! Elephant Seal vs. Sea Lion vs. With a maximum length of 3. The species is highly sexually dimorphic. Seals and sea lions, both members of the pinniped family, are often found along coastlines and in colder ocean waters around the globe. 9 feet (calves) Weight: 12,000 pounds (6 short tons) for males; 6,600 – 8,800 pounds (3. A large group of seals during breeding is called a harem. 9–11. Seals, on the other hand, have no external ear flap but instead have ear holes. Elephant seals are the largest of the true seals. South American sea lion, O. Genus Neophoca Species cinerea Subfamily Otariinae Family Otariidae Suborder Pinnipedia Order Carnivora Class Mammalia Phylum Chordata Kingdom Animalia; Australian Sea Lion numbers are relatively small compared to New Zealand examples are the New Zealand fur seal and New Zealand sea lion. Seals: Belong to the family Phocidae, also known as Here are some of the main differences between a sea lion and a seal: Appearance: Sea lions have large flippers and small flaps for their outer ears. Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, short and thick hair, and a big chest and bell Includes sea lions and fur seals Characterized by ability to rotate the pelvis to bring the hind flippers under the body to permit walking or running on land, small external pinnae, and large pectoral flippers for propulsion Genus refers to the large sagittal crest on the skull of an adult male (Reeves et. Anything and everything related to seals, sea lions and walruses GENUS AND SPECIES: Eumetopias jubatus (Steller’s or northern sea lion), Zalophus californianus Sea lions, seals, and walruses are in a scientific group of mammals called pinnipeds, which means "wing foot" or "feather foot. ” Pinniped means fin or flipper-footed in Latin. Family Otariidae (Eared seals) . Seals: Seals have small, stubby front flippers. They comprise 16 extant species within seven genera and are commonly known either as sea lions (6 species) or fur seals (10 species). In 1993, a female sea lion nicknamed 'Mum' had her pup on an Otago Peninsula beach. Both seals and sea lions have a similar body shape, with a streamlined This article will walk you through a detailed seal vs sea lion comparison. Males have a large head and prominent mane. They usually have a streamlined barrel shape and four flippers at the end of each limb. They are uniformly dark brown and vocalize with the notable sea lion "bark". Galapagos sea lions are the "welcoming committee" of the Galapagos Islands. Seals are members of the family Phocidae, known for their streamlined bodies and lack of external ear flaps. Immature males are sometimes called SAMs (sub-adult males) or bachelors. Thanks to advances in genetic testing, researchers deemed the distinction incorrect and eliminated one from most taxonomies. ; Head shape: Leopard Seals have a long, Aspect Gorilla Lion; Size: 4 to 5. South American Sea Lion or Southern Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens, formerly Otaria byronia); Genus Are you amazed by the majestic creatures of the sea? Have you ever wondered what makes a seal different from a sea lion? Dive into this video to learn about 937 votes, 15 comments. Key Differences. californianus; Japanese sea lion, Sea lion is the common name for various eared seals currently comprising five genera and distinguished from fur seals in the same pinniped family, Otariidae, by lacking the underfur covered with long guard hairs and generally by larger size In fact this is the first time anyone has found a new seal, walrus, or sea lion genus in 140 years. Introduction. It inhabited the Sea of Japan and was perhaps one of the largest se Favia is a genus of reef building stony corals which belong to the family Mussidae. [3] With a population estimated at 14,730 animals, the Teeth: Leopard Seals have long, sharp teeth that are visible even when their mouths are closed, while Steller Sea Lions have shorter, blunter teeth that are not as visible. Seals have much smaller flippers and no external ear flaps/external ears at all. This species has adapted to a wide range of habitats, from rocky shores to sandy beaches and even offshore islands. Seal: Key Similarities. 9 – 11. Although seals and sea lions are similar, they are not the same. flavescens; Genus Phocarctos. The Pinnipedia is in the Order Carnivora. Otariids are not perfectly separable into sea lions and fur seals; the Afro-Australian fur seal is intermediate between the two in behavior and anatomy. . Front Flippers. ly/3cvU6kc South American Sea Lion Facts The term of South American Sea Lion serves as one of the common names of a particularly impressive variety of pinniped. Although most extant otariids (11 of Therefore, the fur seal/sea lion subfamily distinction has been eliminated from many taxonomies. Callorhinus (northern fur seal) is the genus having the oldest lineage. In contrast to sea lions, who are usually found relaxing on sunny beaches, they also choose rocky coastlines and shady locations. Due to threats from The largest sea lion is Steller’s sea lion, which can weigh 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and grow to a length of 3. In contrast, sea lions (especially males) are huge – males are 350 – 500 kgs, and females are 100 – 160 kgs. This difference is the quickest way to distinguish a seal from a sea lion. Among pinnipeds, The largest of the eared seals, Steller sea lions are quick swimmers, about as fast as the smaller California sea lions. 5 body lengths per second, The first difference between the seals and sea lions that we will discuss is the shape of their bodies and front fore flippers. To generate thrust in the water, seals use their hind flippers instead. In the past, scientists classed the two animals under different subfamilies. Source: https://bit. Seals and sea lions are marine mammals, but seals have smoother, furless bodies and lack external ear flaps, while sea lions have visible ear flaps and larger, flipper-like forelimbs for walking on land. The California sea lion, found along the western coast of North America from the Gulf of Alaska to Costa Rica, is the trained seal commonly seen in animal acts and zoos. Zalophus is a genus of the family Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals) of the order Carnivora. Seal What's the Difference? Sea lions and seals are both marine mammals that belong to the same scientific order, Pinnipedia. They live in both water and on land. In this article, we’ll demystify the seal vs sea lion enigma once and for all. California sea lions are sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and have a thicker neck, and a protruding sagittal crest. Both animals eat fish, but their diets can vary. 9-10. 4 meters or 1. In contrast, seals lack these external ear flaps; instead, they have small ear openings with no visible flaps. Adult males are normally territorial and go without eating during the breeding season (Riedman 1990). These flippers are not strong enough to support Species description. Sea lions (left) are brown, bark loudly, "walk" on land using their large flippers and have visible ear flaps. We’ll look at their unique physical traits, social behaviors, and adaptations that make them stand out, even though they live in the same oceans. The two species of the genus are similar in external appearance, behaviour at sea, and gross traits of social significant source of mortality in seals and sea lions. Elephant seals are much larger and heavier than sea lions, with males reaching lengths of up to 16 feet and weighing over 6,000 pounds. The most notable anatomical differences are the ears and the flippers. Adult males are called bulls and females are called cows, while a young seal is a pup. sea lions), the bearded seal is the largest of all the arctic seals. ©A-Z-Animals. wollebaeki range. 9-11. We propose a novel evolutionary and dispersal scenario of otariids based on this phylogenetic hypothesis, estimated divergence times, and fossil records. 0 m (10 ft). They mainly Seals and sea lions are fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. Seals and sea lions have well-developed senses - their eyesight and hearing are adapted for both air and Fur seals are any of nine species of pinnipeds belonging to the subfamily Arctocephalinae in the family Otariidae. Glide velocity of individual Steller sea lions has been measured as 2. Comparing Leopard Seal vs Sea Lion Leopard seals and sea lions are both pinnipeds. Sea lions consume large quantities of food at a time and are known to eat about 5–8% of their body weight (about 6. Coral Reef. Isotopic niche segregation was . Seal populations around the world are normal, with millions of them living in Antarctica alone. All seals, whales and dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Pinnipeds include "true seals", sea lions, fur seals and walruses. Cape fur seal or brown fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus) When fur seals rock out Seal Island Hout Bay, South Africa with The seal vs sea lion are two distinct types of marine mammal, which have evolved over time. However, they have distinct differences in their physical characteristics and behavior. 8,748 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz Think You Can? Take Our Brand New A-Z-Animals Mammals Quiz. How they use them, though, differs. While they have many differences, they also share some similarities. Sea lions’ whiskers are sensitive and help them detect vibrations in the water, allowing them to track prey. High tailing Año Nuevo February 13, 2015. Description. They derive this name from their auricles. Seals have small flippers, wriggle on their bellies on Sea lions and fur seals have external ears that protrude from their heads. The clear difference between the two subfamilies is based only on the quantity of under fur layer of their pelage. Secondly, sea lions have small flaps for outer ears. Let’s sort out the taxonomy first. The Galapagos sea lion is a species that primarily breeds in the Galapagos Islands, although some breeding colonies also occur on Isla de la Plata just off mainland Ecuador. It is nearly impossible to visit Galapagos without seeing sea lions, if you aren’t New Zealand sea lions are one of the largest New Zealand animals. ” Pinnipeds are mammals that are well-adapted for swimming. The species which come ashore include the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubata), the California sea lion (Zalophus cali fornianus), the Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus philippii toivn¬ Eared Seals. Additionally, most of the Galapagos fur seal populations reside on Isabela and Fernandina islands, although the distribution of Galapagos sea lions is more significant Seal vs Sea Lion: Is A Seal A Sea Lion? Seals and sea lions are different species, but they are both members of the Otariidae family. Seal and sea lion both are fin-footed animals that belong to the same suborder Pinnipedia, so also known as pinnipedi. It is one of six species of sea lions. The New Zealand sea lion is an endemic species found only around the mainland and subantarctic islands of New Zealand. New Zealand sea lion or Hooker's sea lion, P. ; Size: Steller Sea Lions are much larger than Leopard Seals, with adult males weighing up to 2,500 pounds compared to Leopard Seals which weigh up to 1,300 pounds. Fur Seal Or Sea Lion – Look At The Nose And Whiskers. Phocidae So there you have it – seals versus sea lions! Seals and sea lions are very similar marine carnivores, with a few handy differences. All true seals are members of the family Phocidae (/ ˈ f oʊ s ɪ d iː /). Species: californianus Indicating their range. Sea lions are carnivores. The Australian sea lion and Australian and New Zealand fur seals are the only species that breed on and around Australia’s mainland and nearshore islands. seal you can spot the difference a few ways, one of which is the lack or presence of an ear. There may be a small breeding colony of Stellers using near shore rocks in Seals, sea lions, and walruses are all in the order Carnivora and suborder Pinnipedia, thus they are called “pinnipeds. 9–3. The Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), also known as the Australian sea-lion or Australian sealion, is a species of sea lion that is the only endemic pinniped in Australia. 4 short tons) for females; 400 pounds (calves) Appearance – Rounded head, big snout, large mouths, flippers Californian sea lion Scientific classification; Domain: Eukaryota: Kingdom: Animalia: Phylum: Chordata: Class: Mammalia: Order: Carnivora: Clade Z. In the scientific world, we call this family Otariidae. They are easily trained and intelligent and are commonly seen in zoos and aquariums. It is characterized by its robust body structure, with males being significantly larger In general, fur seals = small; sea lions = big. Sea lions, by contrast, are easily spotted on beaches and piers throughout the islands. Despite these similarities, they are different from each other in terms of body shape, size and behaviour. Seals and sea lions are marine mammals called ' pinnipeds ' that differ in physical characteristics and adaptations. com. Their flippers help them move in both Read the most interesting sea lion facts, including what they eat, where they live, and what threats they face. King, 1983, Berta and Deméré, 1986). These animals spend the majority of their time in the ocean but come on shore for long periods of time. Look at the pointy shape of this fur seals’ nose. Although both animals feed on fish, they do not live in the same environment. leonina) and the northern (M. They are well-adapted for life in the water, Sea Lions: Sea lions have small, visible external ear flaps that stick out, making them easy to recognize. The estimated number of New Zealand sea lions captured in New Zealand waters is thought to have decreased since the 1996 fishing year (143 in 1996, compared with 34 in 2014). Coral Reefs Facts 5 min read 04/09/2014 11 years ago Blane Perun The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) is a marine mammal that inhabits the coastal regions of South America, including Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. All eared seals are sexually dimorphic. Like seals, sea lions belong to the order Carnivora, or carnivorous mammals. Whether you’re a curious onlooker or an aspiring marine biologist, we’ll guide you through 5 key differences between seals and sea lions. 5 ft) long and weigh 320–450 kilograms (710–990 lb), Pinnipeds (pronounced / ˈ p ɪ n ɪ ˌ p ɛ d z /), commonly known as seals, [a] are a widely distributed and diverse clade of carnivorous, fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea); Genus Otaria. cinerea; Genus Otaria. Modern fur seals and sea lions (Otariidae) are a clade of pinnipeds characterized by shelf-like supraorbital processes on the skull, loss of M 2 and a simplified dentition [1,2]. Summary. They are classified as animals of least concern by the IUCN. wollebaeki; Binomial Eared seals, which include sea lions and fur seals, are predominantly found in the southern hemisphere ©Smit/Shutterstock. Both are warm-blooded animals capable of living on both land and water. Their bodies are well adapted to the aquatic California sea lions are the "trained seal" of marine parks and circuses. Louise Chilvers, in Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Third Edition), 2018. Northern Fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus); Genus Eumetopias. The other species in Video: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Seals’ blubber helps them stay warm in icy waters by providing insulation, while sea lions rely more on their fur for warmth. Australian sea lion, N. There are several physical characteristics and adaptations Seals and sea lions have four flippers (two fore- and two hind flippers) to move through the water. Coloration. 5 feet Weight: 440 – 1,300 pounds: Height: 10 – 45 inches Weight: 2. 8–15. Beyond the 5 key differences between seals and sea lions, there’s one more we wanted to add to the list. When comparing a sea lion vs. It is the sole member of the genus Eumetopias, and the largest of the so-called eared seals (Otariidae). If you see visible ear flaps, it’s a sea lion. The following are some of the most significant distinctions between a sea lion and a seal. Fur seals are smaller – males are 90 – 150 kgs, and females only 30 – 50 kgs. The relative ancestry between different pinnipeds is still uncertain, but they all are thought to be descendants of bear-like animals [17]. However, there is uncertainty around the estimates. Seals and sea lions are actually different creatures, with varying characteristics and behavioral traits. Sea lions have external ear flaps, which are visible and stick out from the sides of their heads, making them look a bit like they're wearing tiny earmuffs. Members of this genus usually. Please read on for the top 22 most interesting facts about the Galapagos sea lion! Genus: Zalophus; Species: Z. They are typically slimmer and do not have as much fat as the seal as well. They are much more closely related to sea lions than true seals, and share with them external ears (), relatively long and muscular foreflippers, and the ability to walk on all fours. 2 – 75 pounds: Appearance – Dark gray or black head and back; – Rounded head, big snout, large mouths, All sea lions and fur seals are highly polygynous, with dominant males having more than one female sexual partner, and with males being two to four times larger than the females (Reidman 1990). Understanding Pinnipeds: Seals and Sea Lions. Sea lions sweep their extended fore-flippers front to back, propelling themselves forward. All are carnivores that hunt at sea – often for fish and squid – and breed on land; mostly in large, noisy colonies. bbuugb fgqqiiy qborovd aiv qolwz krvbckz oteqi lhko xpmh tdk