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Sea lion growl7/26/2023 ![]() Another characteristic that defines the sea lion is the pinnae of the external ears, which distinguish them from seals. Young pups are almost dog-like in profile. īoth male and female sea lions have a pointy, whiskered nose and long, narrow muzzle. Galápagos sea lions, compared to California sea lions, have a slightly smaller sagittal crest and a shorter muzzle. Adult females and juveniles lack this trait and have a nearly flat head and little or no forehead. The male's sagittal crest enlarges when he reaches sexual maturity, forming a small, characteristic bump-like projection on his forehead. Females, by contrast, have a longer, more slender neck and thick torso. Adult males also tend to have a thicker, more robust neck, chest, and shoulders in comparison to their slender abdomen. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos sea lions range from 1.5 to 2.5 m (4.9 to 8.2 ft) in length and weigh between 50 and 400 kg (110 and 880 lb), with the males averaging larger than females. Females come into heat about two weeks after giving birth mating typically occurs about 15-30 days after giving birth.Galápagos sea lion ( Zalophus wollebaeki), Puerto Ayora.Females may wean pups at six months of age, but pups may continue to nurse for up to a year or more.Nursing lasts about eight days, then the mother will forage for 2-3 days at a time away from the pup, before returning to continue nursing. Females generally give birth to a single pup.Therefore, females actually produce a pup in about 7-8 months. The gestation period lasts about 11 months, however, the California sea lion exhibits delayed implantation, meaning that, although the egg is fertilized at the time of mating, it does not implant and begin to develop until sometime in October.After the breeding season, some males migrate north while females remain relatively close to breeding areas.Males form groups of females called rookeries on beaches and compete with other males through physical display, vocalizations and combat to protect their territories.Mating occurs from late spring to early fall most births occur in June.Breed mainly at Channel Islands and islands along the northern Pacific coast of Baja California as well as in the Gulf of California.Both sexes reach sexual maturity by 4-5 years of age.Mother and pup may use smell and vocalizations to identify one another.Males may use smell to detect a female ready to mate.A well-developed sense of smell on land, but cannot smell underwater.Member of the family Otariidae, or “eared seals,” and therefore has small, external ear flaps, or “pinnae” (as opposed to a “true seal,” a member of family Phocidae, which has only small ear holes).Large eyes with excellent vision both in and out of the water and in low-light conditions.Male has a larger, thicker body shape than female.Does not molt annually, but instead sheds and replaces fur all year long.Two layers of fur – outer guard hairs and an inner underfur.Pups are dark brown in color at birth, then shed juvenile fur and grow adult fur at 4-6 months of age.Males develop a bony bump on their head known as a sagittal crest at approximately five years of age.The fur on the male’s head may become lighter with age and the coat appears darker when wet. Female coloration is lighter brown while males are typically darker brown, though males range in color from light brown to black.Help to feel the shape and size of objects and detect vibrations and sounds. ![]()
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