Sea lions are actually aquatic mammals of the Otariidae family, which is why they are also called otarines. Some of them are called "wolves". It is an aquatic species, similar in appearance to seals, but heavier. They inhabit much of the world's oceans and seas, where they feed on fish, octopus, squid, shrimp, among others. Do you want to meet them?
The wolves and sea lions types include 7 genera with several species and in this article on our site we want you to know them.
Types of lions and sea lions
The term sea lion and sea lion have created a lot of confusion for years, being considered two different types of animals, although the truth is that they are exactly the same. Now, there are many types of sea lions and sea lions, categorized according to the gender to which they belong. Thus, there are 7 genera of wolves or sea lions:
- Wolves or sea lions of the genus Arctocephalus
- Wolves or sea lions of the genus Callorhinus
- Wolves or sea lions of the genus Eumetopias
- Wolves or sea lions of the genus Neophoca
- Wolves or sea lions of the genus Otaria
- Wolves or sea lions of the genus Phocarctos
- Wolves or sea lions of the genus Zalophus
Types of sea lions of the genus Arctocephalus
We begin the article on types of sea lions with the genus Arctocephalus, which includes a greater number of species, most of them endemic to the southern hemisphere:
1. Subantarctic sea lion (Arctophoca tropicalis)
Inhabits the subantarctic islands, such as Amsteram Islands, Saint Paul, Crozet Islands, Gough, Macquarie, Prince Edward Islands and Tristan da Cunha. The males can reach 1.8 meters and weigh more than 100 kilograms and are polygamous animals. They prefer rocky beaches with shady areas. It is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN.
two. Guadalupe fur seal (Arctophoca townsendi)
We found this species only on the Guadeloupe Island, a French overseas department. Males can be up to 4 times larger than females, reaching 1.8 meters in length and up to 170 kilograms in weight. They feed on cephalopods and fish. It is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN.
3. Fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus)
This is one of the types of sea lions that can be found in the Southern Africa and South AustraliaThey are the largest sea lions that exist, as the males exceed 2.2 meters in length and weigh 220 kilograms. It is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN, however, its population is showing a growing trend.
You may also be interested in this other article about Animals in danger of extinction in Africa.
4. New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri)
We found expanding colonies in the North and South Islands of New Zealand They reach their maximum length at 10 or 12 years, being about 1.7 meters and more than 100 kilograms in males. They feed on a wide variety of cephalopods, birds and fish. Like the previous species, it is considered a species of least concern according to the IUCN and its population is on the rise.
5. Fur Seal (Arctocephalus australis)
This is one of the types of sea lions present in South America, mainly in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Malvinas Islands, Peru and Uruguay. Again, males are larger than females, measuring around 2 meters in length and weighing 90 to 160 kilograms They feed on fish and cephalopods. They are also considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
6. Galapagos Fur Seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis)
It is distributed in the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands, where the largest breeding colonies of this species are located. Fur seals can occasionally be seen off the Coast of Mexico during the El Niño phenomenon. The species reaches sexual maturity between 4 and 6 years; In addition, their life expectancy is between 17 and 20 years. Currently, the IUCN classifies it as an animal in endangered
7. Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctophoca gazella)
This species is distributed in the Antarctic areas, where it can be found on multiple islands, in addition to Australia. This type of sea lion is considered the most abundant today, which is why it is classified by the IUCN as a species in minor danger Males and females show marked sexual dimorphism: males measure 1.8 meters and weigh between 130 and 200 kilos, while females only reach 1.4 meters and weigh between 22 and 50 kg.
Do you want to know more animals that live in the coldest areas of the planet? Discover this other article on our site about Animals of Antarctica and their characteristics.
Types of sea lions of the genus Callorhinus
Within lions and sea lions, there are also those of the genus Callorhinus, which are called arctic sea lions:
8. Arctic Fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus)
The genus Callorhinus includes only this species of sea lion. It is distributed in the Pacific Ocean, where it can be found on the coasts of the United States, Mexico, Canada, Russia, China and Korea Males measure up to 2.1 meters and weigh 270 kilos, in contrast to females, which only reach 1.5 meters and weigh 50 kilos. Pups are born with black fur, but it takes on the typical fur seal color as they grow. It is considered a vulnerable species.
You may also be interested in this other article on Animals endemic to Mexico - Complete list.
Types of sea lions of the genus Eumetopias
Another type of sea lion is the Eumetopias species:
9. Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus)
The Steller's lion is also distributed in the Pacific Ocean, where it can be found off the coast of the United States, Canada, Korea, Russia and Japan. This species is considered to have the longest body among sea lions; furthermore, both sexes are robust. Life expectancy is between 20 and 30 years. At present, it is estimated that there are 81,327 adult specimens throughout the world.
You want to know more? Discover this other article on our site and discover 50 animals of Japan. Did you know them all?
Types of sea lions of the genus Neophoca
Among the types of sea lions and their characteristics, the Neophoca species stands out:
10. Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea)
This species is endemic to Australia, where it can be found in areas between 60 and 250 meters. Like other species of sea lions and sea lions, it presents marked sexual dimorphism: males measure between 1.8 and 2.5 meters and weigh up to 250 kilos, while females measure between 1.3 and 1.8 meters and weigh between 61 and 105 kilos. It is considered to be in danger of extinction and it is recorded that there are only 6,500 adult specimens.
Types of sea lions of the genus Otaria
If we talk about types of sea lions, we cannot forget the sea lion of the Otaria species:
eleven. South American fur seal (Otaria flavescens)
Among sea lions and sea lions, the South American sea lion is distributed in the southwestern Pacific and Atlantic oceans, so it is possible find it on the coasts of Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and the Falklands. On the South American coast, it is the most abundant marine mammal It has a heavy body and reaches sexual maturity between 4 and 5 years.
For more information, you can consult this other article on Marine animals in danger of extinction.
Types of sea lions of the genus Phocarctos
Another sea lion that exists is that of the species Phocarctos:
12. New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri)
This species is distributed in restricted areas of the surrounding subantarctic islands New Zealand and Australia Males between 2, 1 and 2, 7 meters and weigh up to 450 kilos, while females measure up to 2 meters and weigh between 90 and 165 kilos. They reach sexual maturity between 3 and 5 years and their life expectancy is between 23 and 26 years. The species is considered in danger of extinction by the IUCN and it is estimated that there are only 3,031 adult specimens.
Do you want to know more animals of Australia? Discover this other article about 35 animals of Australia.
Types of sea lions of the genus Zalophus
Finally, the last type of sea lion is that of the genus Zalophus, which has 3 subspecies of sea lions, one of which is already extinct:
13. Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki)
This species is distributed in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, where it is found on the Galapagos Islands and surrounding rocky areas. It is currently estimated that there are out of 9.200 and 10,600 adults Its appearance is similar to the California sea lion, but smaller. The young are born after 11 months of gestation and the life expectancy of the species is estimated at 24 years.
You may also be interested in this other article about Animals of the Galapago Islands. Could you tell how many endemic animals exist on those islands? Find out with our site!
14. Japanese sea lion (Zalophus japonicus)
This species is a sea lion is considered extinct, since no specimens have been sighted since 1951, when its population was estimated at 60 adult specimens. At that time, this sea lion could be found off the coast of Russia, Korea and JapanThe reason for its extinction was indiscriminate hunting, since the body of this species was used for multiple commercial purposes.
If you want to know more about extinct animals, you can consult this other article on our site about 10 extinct animals because of human beings.
fifteen. California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)
This species is distributed along the coasts of Mexico, the United States, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras. Although its population declined during the 19th and 20th centuries, it is currently estimated that there are 180,000 specimens, which is why it is considered a species ofleast concern Like other varieties of sea lions and sea lions, it shows marked sexual dimorphism. Life expectancy is estimated between 19 and 25 years.
