Until recently, it was believed that the the species were sub species of the Californian sea lion. However, recent studies of DNA suggest that these are three separate species.
Eared seals differ from the true seals in having small external earflaps and hind flippers that can be turned to face forwards. Together with strong front flippers, this gives them extra mobility on land and an adult fur seal can move extremely fast across the beach if it has to. They also use their front flippers for swimming, whereas true seals use their hind flippers.
The Japanese sea lion is believed to have become extinct in the 1950s.
California sea lion are a highly social and intelligent species that is well adapted to a semi-aquatic life-style. They are widely used in educational programs in zoos and aquariums throughout the world because of their agility and trainability.
The Galapagos sea lion is found in the Galapagos Archipelago where it is one of the most conspicuous and numerous marine mammals. However, it is considered "endangered."
Marine Mammal Research: Conservation beyond Crisis, edited by John E. Reynolds III, William F. Perrin, Randall R. Reeves, Suzanne Montgomery and Timothy J. Ragen, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005 ISBN: 0801882559
Walker's Mammals of the World, Ronald M. Nowak, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN: 0801857899
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Encyclopedia of Life (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Contributing Author);Marion McClary (Topic Editor) "Zalophus". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth June 30, 2010; Last revised Date May 13, 2011; Retrieved May 24, 2012 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Zalophus>
The Author
The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is an ambitious, even audacious project to organize and make available via the Internet virtually all information about life present on Earth. At its heart lies a series of Web sites—one for each of the approximately 1.8 million known species—that provide the entry points to this vast array of knowledge. The entry-point for each site is a species page suitable for the general public, but with several linked pages aimed at more specialized users. The sites spark ... (Full Bio)
Until recently, it was believed that the the species were sub species of the Californian sea lion. However, recent studies of DNA suggest that these are three separate species.
Eared seals differ from the true seals in having small external earflaps and hind flippers that can be turned to face forwards. Together with strong front flippers, this gives them extra mobility on land and an adult fur seal can move extremely fast across the beach if it has to. They also use their front flippers for swimming, whereas true seals use their hind flippers.
The Japanese sea lion is believed to have become extinct in the 1950s.
California sea lion are a highly social and intelligent species that is well adapted to a semi-aquatic life-style. They are widely used in educational programs in zoos and aquariums throughout the world because of their agility and trainability.
The Galapagos sea lion is found in the Galapagos Archipelago where it is one of the most conspicuous and numerous marine mammals. However, it is considered "endangered."
Marine Mammal Research: Conservation beyond Crisis, edited by John E. Reynolds III, William F. Perrin, Randall R. Reeves, Suzanne Montgomery and Timothy J. Ragen, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005 ISBN: 0801882559
Walker's Mammals of the World, Ronald M. Nowak, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN: 0801857899
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
California sea lion. Source: David Corby/Wikipedia
Galápagos sea lion. Source: Kelley Kane/Wikipedia
Japanese sea lion (stuffed specimen at Tenn?ji Zoo, Osaka, Japan.) Source: Nkensei/Wikipedia based on Wolf et. al. (further reading #10)
Contact Us
Send to a Friend
Comments
There are no comments.