The Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea) is an Australian pinniped – a finned semi-aquatic marine mammal – a fur seal.
The Australian Sea Lion has light-brown to dark-brown short fur, short black flippers, and a lumbering bulky body on land. In water, it swims quickly and easily. It has a cream underbelly. It has almond-shaped dark eyes, a flattened head, and a round nose with white whiskers.
Australian Sea Lion
It grows to about 1.8 metres (6 feet).
The Australian Sea Lion is a forager, eating fish, squid, cuttlefish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, small sharks, and small penguins.
It is found only along the southwestern coast of Australia in Western Australia and South Australia. It breeds on about 50 small islands off the coast. The largest colonies are on Kangaroo Island and near Port Lincoln in South Australia.
The Australian Sea Lion lives in colonies of 50 individuals or more. Females give birth to one live young, called a pup.
They have a lifespan of 20-30 years.
Australian Sea Lion
Australian Sea Lion
Australian Sea Lion
Australian Sea Lion
Australian Sea Lion
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM