Southern Sea Lion Female Skull

Description

Southern Sea Lion Female Skull measures 10.5 inches. Southern Sea Lion Female Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Otaria flavescens is the scientific name. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home decor skull, or office decor skull.

The Southern sea lion or Otaria flavescens males have a very large head with a well-developed mane. They are twice the weight of females. Both males and females are orange or brown colored with upturned snouts.

Adult males can grow over 9 ft. and weigh up to 770 lbs. Adult females grow up to 7 ft. and weigh about 330 lbs. The Southern sea lion or Otaria flavescens is found along the coasts and offshore islands of South America.

Southern Sea lions or Otaria flavescens consume numerous species of fishes, including Argentine hake and anchovies. They also eat shortfin squid, Patagonian squid, and octopus. They have even been observed preying on penguins, pelicans, and young South American fur seals.

Southern sea lions may forage at the ocean floor for slow-moving prey or hunt schooling prey in groups, depending on the area. When captured, the prey is shaken violently and torn apart.

Southern sea lions or Otaria flavescens have been recorded to take advantage of the hunting efforts of dusky dolphins, feeding on the fish they herd together. The sea lions themselves are preyed on by killer whales and sharks, and visited as a handy source of blood by common vampire bats from Isla Pan de Azúcar.

Southern Sea lion or Otaria flavescens mothers remain with their newborn pups for nearly a week before making a routine of taking three-day foraging trips and coming back to nurse the pups. They act aggressively to other females that come close to their pups, as well as alien pups that try to get milk from them.

Pups first enter the water at about four weeks and are weaned at about 12 months. This is normally when the mother gives birth to a new pup. Pups gradually spend more time in the nearshore surf and develop swimming skills.

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