ANIMAL SPECIES:Australian Sea Lion
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.
Identification
Both sexes of the Australian Sea Lion have stocky bodies, a large head and short narrow flippers. Apart from size, the sexes are easily identified by coat colour. The male is dark brown with mane-like yellow areas on the neck and top of the head. The females are silver grey to fawn on the back and creamy coloured underneath. Pups are born with a chocolate brown fur, which is lost after the first moulting phase.
Distribution
This species is endemic to Australian waters and breeds on at least 50 islands off the coast of Western Australia and South Australia.
Habitat
Sea Lions prefer sandy beaches, usually in isolated bays and sheltered areas. One such site on Kangaroo Island off South Australia has become a popular tourist attraction.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The Australian Sea Lion's diet is poorly known but probably includes a variety of fish and invertebrates such as octopus and squid. There is some suggestion that they occasionally take penguins.
Life cycle
Timing of the birth of pups is not the same at each site. Young can be born anytime from January to June after a gestation period of about 12 months. Despite the fact that females give birth to only one young and may not breed again for two to three years, pup mortality is high in the first six months after birth.
Mating and reproduction
Australian Sea Lions form loose associations within the breeding colonies. Males do not form harems but will guard and then mate with individual females in turn.
Conservation Status
The Australian Sea Lion is protected by Australian State and Federal government legislation and listed as rare by the IUCN. Australian Sea Lion numbers are relatively small compared to other seals in the area and like most it suffered heavily during the 19th century sealing period with many colonies being wiped out.
Classification
- Species:
- cinerea
- Genus:
- Neophoca
- Subfamily:
- Otariinae
- Family:
- Otariidae
- Suborder:
- Pinnipedia
- Order:
- Carnivora
- Class:
- Mammalia
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
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