Sea Lion
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 A sea lion in Monterey, California
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A sea lion is any of several marine mammals of the family Otariidae. Sea lions are characterized by the presence of external ear pinnae or flaps, long front flippers, and the ability to walk on four flippers on land. Sea lions are generally found in coastal waters of the temperate to subpolar regions of both northern and southern hemispheres.
Sea lions are often a popular attraction at zoos and aquariums, performing behaviors such as throwing and catching balls on their noses and clapping.
Sea lions of many species have seen a severe and rapid decrease in numbers in recent years. Many factors including overfishing of other species, shooting by fishermen and pollution have probably contributed to the decline. The population of Steller sea lions in Alaska has declined as much as 80% since the 1970s. [1] [2] California sea lions are abundant and the population is growing.
Sea lions have been trained by the U.S. Navy's Marine Mammal Program, based in San Diego to detain scuba divers. The animal carries in its mouth a cuff attached to a long rope and clamp the cuff around the person's leg who can then be reeled in.[3]
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[edit] Taxonomy
- SUBORDER PINNIPEDIA
- Family Otariidae
- Subfamily Arctocephalinae: fur seals
- Subfamily Otariinae
- Steller Sea Lion, Eumetopias jubatus
- California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
- South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens
- Australian Sea Lion, Neophoca cinerea
- New Zealand Sea Lion, Phocarctos hookeri
- Family Phocidae: true seals
- Family Odobenidae: Walrus
[edit] Hybridization
A hybrid sea lion from a cross between the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) has occurred.
[edit] As Food
Sea lion curry is a popular souvenir from Hokkaido, Japan. The government of Japan has set a quota of 116 kills per year in Hokkaido, as sea lions are seen as a threat to commercial fisheries. International environmentalists and local fishery advocates continue to debate the issue.
[edit] References
- ^ Clover, Charles. 2004. The End of the Line: How overfishing is changing the world and what we eat. Ebury Press, London. ISBN 0-09-189780-7
- ^ Dalton, Rex. 2005. "Is this any way to save a species?." Nature 436, 7 July 2005, 14-16.
- ^ Watkins, Thomas (2007-02-12). Navy may deploy anti-terrorism dolphins. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
