A sea lions diet
It was from this basal line that both the sea lions and the remaining fur seal genus, Callorhinus, are thought to have diverged. Similar genetic divergences between the sea lion clades as well as between the major Arctocephalus fur seal clades, suggest that these groups underwent periods of rapid radiation at about the time they diverged from each other. They may disperse and range far distances to find prey, but are not known to migrate. Steller sea lions are opportunistic predators, foraging and feeding primarily at night on a wide variety of fishes (e. Sea lions are related to the walrus and the seal. g. The coats of adult males and females are light blonde to reddish brown and slightly darker on the chest and abdomen. The flippers and other hairless parts of the skin are black. , squid and octopus) and gastropods. The family Otariidae (Order Carnivora) contains the 14 extant species of fur seals and sea lions. , capelin, cod, herring, mackerel, pollock, rockfish, salmon, sand lance, etc. Until recently, sea lions were grouped under a single subfamily called Otariinae, whereas fur seals were grouped in the subfamily Arcocephalinae. The light coloration is still visible when the body is wet, which is different from many pinniped species. At sea, they are seen alone or in small groups, but may gather in large rafts at the surface near rookeries and haul outs. g. They are also capable of traveling long distances in a season and can dive to approximately 1300 ft (400 m) in depth. Together with the fur seals, they comprise the family Otariidae, eared seals, which contains six extant and one extinct species (the Japanese sea lion ) in five genera. They are capable of powerful vocalizations that are accompanied by a vertical head bobbing motion by males.
The fore-flippers are broader and longer than the hind-flippers and are the primary means of locomotion in water. Steller sea lions haul out on a rock off the coast of Raspberry Island (Alaska). Their diet may vary seasonally depending on the abundance and distribution of prey. Steller sea lions exhibit sexual dimorphism, in which adult males are noticeably larger than females and further distinguished by a thick mane of coarse hair. Together with the fur seals, they constitute the family Otariidae, collectively known as eared seals. Sea lions are sea mammals characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short, thick hair. Steller Sea Lion Diet Steller sea lions forage near shore and pelagic waters. The Steller sea lion, also known as the northern sea lion, is the largest member of the Otariid (eared seal) family. This division was based on the most prominent common feature shared by the fur seals and absent in the sea lions, namely the dense underfur characteristic of the former. On land, sea lions, unlike true seals, can turn their hind flippers forward for walking. Nonetheless, all fur seals have certain features in common: the fur, generally smaller sizes, farther and longer foraging trips, smaller and more abundant prey items, and greater sexual dimorphism. ), bivalves, cephalopods (e. All sea lions have certain features in common, in particular their coarse, short fur, greater bulk, and larger prey than fur seals. Physiology dictates thermoregulation, osmoregulation, reproduction, metabolic rate, and many other aspects on sea lion ecology including but not limited to their ability to dive to great depths. Like other pinnipeds, their coat of fur molts every year. They use land habitat as haul-out sites for periods of rest, molting, and as rookeries for mating and pupping during the breeding season. There are many components that make up sea lion physiology and these processes control aspects of their behavior. Both sexes also have long whitish whiskers, or vibrissae, on their muzzle.
