# South American Sea Lion (*Otaria flavescens*) South American sea lions are playful and social animals that love to swim and bask in the sun. They can be found lounging on rocks or beaches, making them a fun sight to see! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Maned Seal, Patagonian Sea Lion ![South American Sea Lion](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Leon_marino.jpg&width=800) Photo: Vincent Desjardins, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leon_marino.jpg) ## Appearance The South American Sea Lion has a robust body, typically reddish-brown or yellowish-brown, with adult males sporting a darker, shaggy mane around their neck. Their large head, often with a flattened snout, and powerful front flippers help them stand out from smaller seal species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Otariidae - **Genus:** Otaria ## Interesting facts - Baby sea lions have fluffy, dark fur when born, which changes color as they grow! - Male sea lions grow a thick, shaggy mane, which is why they're called 'sea lions'! - Their long, stiff whiskers are super sensitive, helping them find prey in murky waters! - They can balance on their large flippers and walk on land, unlike many true seals! ## Special abilities - **Deep Diver:** South American Sea Lion can dive over 300 feet deep to hunt prey because of their efficient oxygen use. - **Master Swimmer:** They have powerful front flippers that help them glide swiftly through the water, chasing agile fish. - **Cold Water Comfort:** A thick layer of blubber helps them stay warm in the chilly ocean waters they call home. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 180-280 cm - **Weight:** 140-350 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 350-365 days ## Diet & Feeding These sea lions are expert hunters, mostly eating seafood like fish, squid, and octopus! - **Age differences:** null - **Primary Foods:** Peruvian anchovy, Patagonian squid, Hake, Octopus, Crabs - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Orcas are powerful predators that hunt sea lions. - **Eaten by:** [Great White Shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-white-shark) (*Carcharodon carcharias*) — Young and adult sea lions can be prey for large sharks. - **Eats:** Peruvian Anchovy (*Engraulis ringens*) — A key part of their diet, providing essential nutrients. - **Eats:** Patagonian Squid (*Loligo gahi*) — Sea lions actively hunt these agile cephalopods. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch sea lions from a safe distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify South American Sea Lion? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is South American Sea Lion? 180-280 cm ### How much does South American Sea Lion weigh? 140-350 kg ### How long does South American Sea Lion live? 15-20 years ### How fast can South American Sea Lion move? 25 km/h ### What does South American Sea Lion eat? These sea lions are expert hunters, mostly eating seafood like fish, squid, and octopus! ### Where is South American Sea Lion usually found? Coastal areas ### How does South American Sea Lion hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Colchester Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colchester-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo - [Tierpark Hellabrunn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hellabrunn) — Bavaria, DE · Zoo - [Tiergarten Schönbrunn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-sch-nbrunn) — Vienna, AT · Zoo - [Zoo Heidelberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-heidelberg) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Zoo [View all places to see South American Sea Lion](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/south-american-sea-lion) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [South American Sea Lion: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/south-american-sea-lion)