SEA LION
				Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Pinnipedia Otariidae Zalophus californianus Phocarctos hookeri (New Zealand) Neophoca cinerea (Australia)

There are five species of sea lion with the most common being the California sea lion. This and the Steller's sea lion live in the Northern Hemisphere: the others inhabit southern oceans, living close to the South American and Australasian coasts.

Like the fur seal, they are often referred to as eared seals due to their small ears, a feature lacking in true seals. As expert swimmers and divers they catch fish under water with ease. It is presumed their whiskers are sensitive and help to detect prey. On land, they can move with surprising speed. Leaping over rocks and down cliff-sides, their flippers, blubber and soft, gristly ribs protect them from harm. Naturally playful, sea lions can be trained to perform tricks.

Sea lions, like most seals, breed in colonies on beaches, each bull stalking out his own territory and herding a group of females around him. The single young is carefully guarded by the mother until able to take to the sea and fend for itself. Sea lions are unpopular with fisherman who blame them for damaging fish stocks. Californian sea lions seem to prefer squid to fish, while the Australian sea lion preys on penguins.

Along with seals and walruses, sea lions migrate every year to their breeding grounds, returning always to the same deserted stretch of shore. They spend several weeks on shore or near it, while the young are born. Then, off to sea again.