Sea Lions

Fun Fact: Contrary to their names, Sea ‘Lions’ are actually more closely related to bears.

Notorious for their showmanship and personality in captivity, along with their trademark bark, sea lions are highly intelligent mammals. Because of their large foreflippers, these animals are able to swim underwater and walk on land, where they congregate in large herds and bark loudly to communicate. If you’re like most people, you haven’t the slightest idea what the difference between a Sea Lion and Seal are, so take a minute to learn.

There are five species of Sea Lion that inhabit all of the World’s oceans, except the northern Atlantic. The largest Sea Lions can weigh as much as 2,200 pounds and reach a length of up to 10 feet, and the average lifespan ranges from 20 to 30 years. These animals are also notorious for their ability to put away large quantities of food, and may eat as much as 8 percent of their body weight in one feeding. A sea lion's typical prey consists of fish, squid, and octopus.