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Southern Sea Lion Female Skull
$272.00
The Southern Sea Lion, also called the South American Sea Lion, inhabits coastal South America south of the Equator. This large predator, weighing up to 770 lbs, feeds on fish, squid, crustaceans and fur seals.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Southern Sea Lion Female Skull Replica measures 10.5 inches. Southern Sea Lion Female Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor 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 lb. Adult females grow up to 7 ft. and weigh about 330 lb. 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.
Southern Sea Lion Facts:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Clade: Pinnipedia
Family: Otariidae
Genus: Otaria
Species: O. flavescens
Binomial name: Otaria flavescens
Scientific name: otaria-bryonia
Conservation status: Least concern – A least concern species is a species that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated as not being a focus of species conservation. They do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (before 2001) conservation dependent.
Shop More Museum Quality Sea Lion Skulls in Sea Lion Skull Store
Additional information
| Weight | 12 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.5 in |
| International Sea Lion Day - May 30th | World Sea Lion Day is celebrated on May 30th. Together with fur seals, sea lions belong to the family Otariidae, characterized by external ear flaps. They are principally found in large colonies on rocky and sandy shores in Pacific waters. The largest kind is the Steller's sea lion, which can weigh up to 1,000 kg! As they rely on water to feed and cool off, sea lions are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and ocean currents, affecting prey abundance. Besides, they are also victims of bycatch in fisheries. As a result, three species are considered endangered: the Australian sea lion, Galápagos sea lion, and New Zealand sea lion. |
