Sea Lion Information. Although closely related, these animals are quite different from one another. A study of adult New Zealand sea lions at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island discovered there is about 27% showing evidence of scarring from near-miss shark attacks. They give birth on land. This species is also known by the following name(s): Hooker's Sea Lion. Sea Lion Conservation. Read More. Lives in the Northern Pacific mostly around Alaska. Population: About 12,000 Conservation status: Nationally Vulnerable Threat status: Endemic species, main breeding colony in decline Found in: Most of the population at Auckland and Campbell subantarctic islands. Males typically weigh between 320 and 450 kilograms (710 and 990 pounds) and are between 240 and 350 centimeters (7.9 and 11.5 feet) long. The Portal of Life on Earth, Biodiversity, Animal Facts, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Phocarctos hookeri, also known as the New Zealand sea lion, is monotypic and is one of the world's seven extant sea lions. Sea Lion Information, Anatomy, Feeding, Reproduction, EvolutionSocial Structure and Sea Lion Conservation. While Rugby remains the most popular spectator sport in New Zealand, golf is the most popular participation sport, with more golf courses in New Zealand per capita of population, than any other country in the world. Lions are some of the heaviest animals on the planet. Here are 36 interesting facts about lions which are sure to fascinate you! If Galapagos sea lion is the smallest sea lion in size, then New Zealand sea lion is the smallest number in population compare to another species of sea lion. Australian Sea Lion – Males are dark brown with a light yellow mane around their heads. New Zealand sea lion has another name that is known by people as Hooker’s sea lion. Environmental concerns continue to cause problems for them in their natural habitats as well. Years of them being destroyed by humans has really taken a toll on them. New Zealand sea lions (also known as whakahao/rāpoka or Hooker’s sea lion) are the rarest species of sea lion in the world and the most threatened because of their declining numbers. New Zealand Sea Lion. In fact, you can expect a sea lion to munch on around 8% of their body weight in food in a single sitting! The temperatures are compatible with where some Sea Lions live. We do know that they are very social animals and that they have a variety of methods of communicating. Its main food is fish and cephalopods such as squid and octopus. Did you know that South American sea lions and other pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are descendent from a land-based carnivore that lived 27-25 million years ago? New Zealand sea lion are otariids or eared seals, with small ear-flaps visible on the sides of their heads. The presence of sea lions in northern North Island can’t be proved after about 1500, so it is believed they disappeared from that area. Do you know the difference between seals and sea lions? New Zealand Sea Lion: Also known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion. These seals mostly forage at night, using their whiskers to locate their meals. New Zealand sea lion. Males are 2.0–2.5 metres in length, females 1.5–2.0 metres. Governments, scientists and conservationists recognise that NZ sea lions are under severe threat from disease, accidental death as a result of fisheries by-catch, and habitat change caused by fishing. Sea Lions are marine mammals classified as pinnipeds which means that they feature winged feet. New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world and are only found in New Zealand. Yet we really don’t know much about what those different types of sounds are used for. Australian Sean Lion: Lives in the South and West parts of Australia. Definition and List of Adverbs for Kids, What Happens in Spring? Seals just have a tiny opening for their ears. The New Zealand Sea Lion is the rarest of the species. New Zealand sea lions are one of the largest New Zealand animals. They have also been trained to help the United States Navy with their in water needs. A male sea lion can weigh up to 800 pounds and be 9 feet long. Fun Facts for Kids. New Zealand is a country in the Southern hemisphere and belongs to Oceania. Spring Facts for Kids, Me Tree Self-Esteem Character Building Arts and Crafts Project for Kids. So what do you look at to tell whos who? Galapagos Sea Lion: Lives in the Galapagos Island and Isla De La Plata. ea Lions are in the Otariidae Family meaning eared seals. This is the sea lion you see that does tricks at theme parks, aquariums, and zoos. The sea lion has two main predators the Shark and Killer Whale. They are solitary hunters and rarely if ever take large game such as penguins or seals, … Adult New Zealand sea lions are markedly dimorphic. Although the New Zealand sea lion is similar in size and appearance to its geographical neighbour the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), the two species are not, in fact, closely related genetically (Wynen et al., 2001). Other seals that visit our shores occasionally, such as the southern elephant seal/ihupuku and the leopard seal, are found in larger numbers in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. When they have to go further out into the waters to find food then they are more likely to encounter such predators. ), New Zealand. Sea Lions are pinnipeds that have external ear flaps and long fore flippers. Dark brown, with a mane of thick hair about the neck and shoulders, they can tip the scales at over 400 kilograms. The islands are separated by the waters of the Cook Strait. It is common for Sea Lions to move from one sub group to another during various stages of their lives. For the most part they are considered to be very timid but there have been some reports of aggressive attacks on humans. At birth, pups are 70–100 centimetres (2.3–3.3 ft) long and weigh 7–8 kilograms (15–18 lb); the natal pelage is a thick coat of dark brown hair that becomes dark gray with cr… The fact that humans are also taking control over the waters where they once lived in peace is a huge concern. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. A baby sea lion is around 15 pounds when they are born. Some species of Sea Lions live in the sub arctic areas while others live in warmer climates including California. What is actually taking place is that they have tear ducts to help remove the salt water from their eyes. Welcome to KidsPlayAndCreate.com, a website that’s dedicated to helping kids live their best lives ever through fun games, crafts, facts, cooking activities, self esteem advice and more! The males are much larger than fur seals and have a distinctive blunt nose. Sea lions are very intelligent. The big colonies though also have many sub groups found within them. A mother sea lion is pregnant for 12 months. Sea lions are true carnivores and individuals may eat as much as 50 pounds of fish and squid in a day. Archaeological evidence points to the fact that native sea lions were once found along the entire length of New Zealand’s coast, from the North Island right down to Stewart Island and the sub-antarctic islands, too. Male sea lions can eat 30-45 pounds of food every day. The threat that they pose depend on the areas where the Sea Lions live. Sea Lions have external ear flaps, long fore-flippers, and short thick hair. There are actually seven species of Sea Lions in the world, but people tend to lump them all into one category. Facts Summary: The New Zealand Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "mammals" and found in the following area(s): Australia (Macquarie Is. Look at their ears. 36 Amazing Facts About Lions 1. It’s safe to say you probably shouldn’t get up too close to one – but there’s every reason why you’d want to learn more about them. Lives in South Island and Auckland in New Zealand. Sea Lions can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes. There is also plenty of the food that they consume found there. Sea Lions may appear lazy but they simply enjoy relaxing and basking in the sun. For example the males are more likely to be loners. New Zealand sea lion remains have been collected and studied from Fiordland to East Otago, Cook Strait, South Taranaki, and on the east coast of the North Island from the Coromandel Peninsula to Northland. New Zealand Sea Lions – New Zealand sea lions are on the larger side of the species. The Steller Sea Lion is the largest of them all and lives in the Northern Pacific, especially around Alaska. The New Zealand, or Hooker’s, sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) inhabits only New Zealand. Creature Profile. All species of Sea Lions are considered to be mammals. Yet they can’t pinpoint reasons why this is the case. Sea Lions really only have two predators that are other animals – Killer Whales and Sharks. They have been used to teach tricks to for entertainment. Lions are Seriously Hefty! They have long torpedo shaped bodies that are well designed for movements both in the water and on land. Fun Facts about Sea Lion! Most of New Zealand’s population of 4.5 million is of European descent; The locals are often called “kiwis” The Ninety-Mile Beach is only 50 miles long; No matter where you are in New Zealand, you’ll never be more than 128 km from the seaside Australian Sea Lion Facts At A Glance. Many researchers find this to be a very interesting fact. They are highly intelligent and, in captivity, have been trained to perform many entertaining tricks. The Stellar Sea Lion is the largest of the 7 species. Also known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion, the New Zealand Sea Lion is Facts about the New Zealand sea lion World Range & HabitatThe Hooker's sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri, is one of the rarest and most endangered sea lions. The life span for a sea lion is 25-35 years in captivity and 10-15 years in the wild. There are many stories out there about seeing Sea Lions crying. About Privacy Policy Resources Copyright © 2021 KidsPlayandCreate. Sea Lions are found in bodies of water all over the world, but not in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. New Zealand Facts | Geography. South American Sea Lion Fun Facts. In the water, sea lions shine with balletic grace, spending the majority of their time hunting in reefs and ocean waters where they can dive as deep as 900 feet and remain submerged for over half an hour. Steller Sea Lion: The largest of the sea lion. The … Sea Lions can swim up to 22 miles per hour. When the larger colonies form again those females with offspring are more likely to stay together. Even with conservation efforts in place there is still a great deal of work to be done if these animals are going to survive. They often are found in extremely large colonies. Female sea lions can eat 15-25 pounds of food every day. Cleaning up the environment is a huge part of the conservation efforts for Sea Lions. New Zealand sea lions, like all otariids (eared seals), have marked sexual dimorphism; adult males are 240–350 cm long and weigh 320–450 kg and adult females are 180–200 cm long and weigh 90–165 kg. A female sea lion can weigh up to 400 pounds and be 6 feet long. Sea Lions are very interesting animals that can end up being extremely large. They feed on any fish they can find, squid, and other creatures that are found in the waters that contain meat. Part of this is likely to fall to the fact that they are very fast swimmers – they need the extra energy! The New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is listed as Vulnerable in the 2003 IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of Globally Threatened Species. They also have the ability … The Stellar Sea Lion is the largest of the 7 species. Next up for the types of sea lion we have New Zealand sea lion. Amazing photo gallery about Sea Lions. Babies are born with brown fur. Creative Arts and Crafts Projects and Ideas for kids, The Best Black History Month Movies to Watch with Kids, Black History Month Writing Prompts for Students, I Love Being Your Teacher Because… Valentine’s Day Self Esteem Activity, What is an Adverb? This website is a resource for those who want to have fun, build self esteem and teach their kids how to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. New Zealand Sea Lion – also known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion, the New Zealand Sea Lion is one of the largest animals found in New Zealand. Like all otariids, they have marked sexual dimorphism; adult males are 240–350 centimetres (7.9–11.5 ft) long and weigh 320–450 kilograms (710–990 lb), while adult females are 180–200 centimetres (5.9–6.6 ft) long and weigh 90–165 kilograms (198–364 lb). This is because they give live birth to their young and the females also nurse the pups with milk they produce in their bodies. KidsPlayAndCreate.com is an Amazon Affiliate and may earn a small commission for products that are purchased through Amazon via our affiliate links. They are large animals, weighing up to 400 kg for a 3m adult male, and are able to turn their hind flippers forwards and walk, or even gallop, surprisingly fast. Adult males are heavily built, especially in the forequarters, measure between 2.0-3.25m in length and weigh 318-410 kg, while adult … The males are much bigger than the females which helps them to gain the ability to mate with them because the females will look for the largest males out there to be with. They learn to swim on their own when they are a couple of weeks old. However, some of the most fascinating aspects of these charismatic species are better observed in the wild. Other Name(s): Hair seal, white-necked hair seal, white-capped hair seal, counselor seal Scientific name: Neophoca cinerea Type of Animal: Mammal Animal Family: Otariidae (the eared seal family) Where Found: Australia (Western Australia and South Australia) Length: male 185 to 225 cm (73 to 89 in); female 130 to 185 cm (51 to 73 in) Sea lions are also 5 x Fun Facts about New Zealand. South American Sea Lion: Lives mostly near Peru and some live along the South American Coast. Sea Lions are considered to be highly intelligent animals. The future is unsure for many species of Sea Lions. New Zealand sea lions feed on a wide range of prey species including fish, cephalopods (squid and yellow octopus), crustaceans, seabirds and other marine mammals. The sea lions earflaps are turned with the opening downward so water does not enter the ears. Man has proven to be the biggest threat to the Sea Lion survival though for a very long time. This article is only an excerpt. True seals and walruses belong to another group. New Zealand sea lions are the prey for great white sharks. The males are extremely aggressive when it comes to earning the right to mate with females. Sea lions are ubiquitous throughout the world and commonly observed by humans in bays, harbors, or at the zoo. Know these amazing 100 facts about New Zealand, facts and information, what is NZ famous for, fun facts 2019-2020, all about New Zealand! For example, endemic Hector's dolphins (found nowhere else), rare beaked whales, New Zealand sea lions (found only in our southern waters), and the widely distributed New Zealand fur seals/kekeno. Females are a tad tinier, with 180 to 200 centimeters (5.9 to 6.6 feet) of length. They can swim around at up to 56 km/h. Their weight is … A female sea lion can weigh up to 400 pounds and be 6 feet long. Pretty cool right! New Zealand is after all the very first country to greet each new day! Share . New Zealand fur seals normally dive for prey for up to one or two minutes, though some individuals have been known to dive to almost 400 meters, and to stay underwater for more than 14 minutes in one go. The Sea Lion is considered to be a pinniped which means that it features a winged foot. Auckland also has the largest number of boats per capita than any other city in the world. Australian Sea Lions consume large amounts of food. New Zealand consists of two main islands: North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and South Island (Te Waipounamu). The New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is also known as Hooker’s sea lion, and to Māori as whakahao. Galapagos Sea Lion – very large, with the males being about 1,000 pounds when they are full grown. We really only know the basics about Sea Lions including their anatomy and their mating habits. Once the pups are about a year old they tend to form small sub groups as well. For their protection they will stay very close together both on land and in the water. They swallow small prey and tear larger prey into sizable chunks. They also have back teeth that can be used to crack shells if needed to get to meat. If you see a small earflap on each side of its head, you are looking at a sea lion. Highlights. California Sea Lion: Most popular lives mostly in San Francisco California. 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