Wildlife
The full mane of a male southern sea lion gives rise to their lion-like appearance, and also to their other common name of maned seal. They are the most sexually dimorphic of the sea lions, with the males approximately three times the size of females. They live along the shorelines and beaches of South America.
The mating season begins in August when the males come ashore to establish and defend territories before the females arrive. The pups are born en-masse almost one year later. Although no commercial hunting of southern sea lions occurs nowadays, numbers were heavily depleted during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Scientific name: Otaria flavescens
Rank: Species
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Equally matched
Penguins can be difficult to catch in sea and on land.
Penguins can be difficult to catch in sea and on land.
A cruel lesson
Young sealions are snatched alive in killer whale hunting spree.
Young sealions are snatched alive in killer whale hunting spree.
Paracas paradise
A beach paradise for sealions still has its problems when you have a harem to control.
A beach paradise for sealions still has its problems when you have a harem to control.
Forest penguins
Penguins are unexpected forest inhabitants, but they prove surprisingly adaptable - if the sealions don't get them.
Penguins are unexpected forest inhabitants, but they prove surprisingly adaptable - if the sealions don't get them.
Submarine forest
A wealth of wildlife hides in the dense kelp forests.
A wealth of wildlife hides in the dense kelp forests.
The Southern sea lion can be found in a number of locations including: South America. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Southern sea lion distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Stable
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens, formerly Otaria byronia), also called the southern sea lion and the Patagonian sea lion, is a sea lion found on the Chilean, Peruvian, Uruguayan, Argentine and Southern Brazilian coasts. It is the only member of the genus Otaria. Its scientific name was subject to controversy, with some taxonomists referring to it as Otaria flavescens and others referring to it as Otaria byronia. The former eventually won out, although that may still be overturned. Locally, it is known by several names, most commonly lobo marino (sea wolf) and león marino (sea lion).
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Coastal
Intertidal zone
Shallow seas
Open ocean
Adapted to swimming
Carnivorous
Colonial
Acoustic communication
Maternal care
Moulting
Polygynous
Predator
Social
Chemical communication
Sexual dimorphism
Territorial
Viviparous