what are some of the cararistics of a sea lion?

Answer 1

sea lion :

Any of five species (family Otariidae) of eared seals found along coasts on both sides of the Pacific, from Alaska to Australia. Sea lions have short, coarse hair that lacks a distinct undercoat. The males of all but the California sea lion have a mane. Sea lions feed principally on fish, squid, and octopus. They breed in large herds; males establish a harem of 3–20 females. The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is the trained seal of circuses and zoos. Males of the various species range from 8 to 11 ft (2.5–3.3 m) long and weigh 600–2,200 lbs (270–1,000 kg).

Answer 2

From yahoo reference, encyclopedia entry, quote:

"fin-footed marine mammal of the eared seal family (Otariidae). Like the other member of this family, the fur seal, the sea lion is distinguished from the true seal by its external ears, long, flexible neck, supple forelimbs, and hind flippers that can be turned forward for walking on land. It differs from the fur seal in having a thin coat of short, coarse hair rather than soft, thick fur. Sea lions swim by rowing movements of the forelimbs, with the hindlimbs stretched out behind the body as a rudder. They feed primarily on fish and squid and are known to dive as deep as 600 ft (180 m) for food. They are found in the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere and in the N Pacific Ocean. When not breeding they inhabit waters close to shore, sometimes coming ashore to rest on rocky beaches and islands."

Much more information there and at these other two links. The third link has information from Columbia Encyclopedia and a short piece from Enyclopdiea Brittanica I believe.

Answer 3

First, sea lions have external ear flaps (seals just have a hole in their skull that is usually covered by their fur so you don't see it.) Here in California, our sea lions are much bigger than our local harbor seals.

Sea Lions have large front flippers that they can turn "forward" so that they can actually "walk" on land. Seals have stubby flippers that don't support their weight, so on land it kind of looks like they are hopping on their chests and stomachs as they walk.

Seals and sea lions don't typically hang out together here in San Diego - we have a group of sea lions near our harbor, and a group of harbor seals about 20 miles north who give birth to their pups and sun themselves at a small protected beach in La Jolla.