Australian Sea Lion

Australian Sea Lion Male and Female

Both the female and male Australian sea lion have short and thin flippers with a big head and bodies that are bulky and stocky. It is easy to determine the difference between a male and female Australian sea lion because of their size difference as well as the color of their coat. The female Australian sea lion has a cream colored underbody with a back that is silverfish, light tan or even dark brown. The male Australian sea lion is always dark brown with yellow patches on his head and neck.

Australian Sea Lion Most Endangered

The Australian sea lion is only found in Australia. And, of the world’s many pinnipeds it is one of the most endangered. There are only 10,000 to 12,000 Australian sea lions left. The Australian sea lion is found in island areas like the Pages Islands, Kangaroo Island, Dangerous Reef and the Houtman Abrolhos. The Australian sea lion does wander on occasion and have been spotted inland as far as Victoria, New South Wales, Shark Bay, and even Tasmania. Although the Australian sea lion is widely distributed, there are very few of them left.

Australian Sea Lion Migration

In regards to migration, the Australian sea lion does not appear to migrate or move with the seasons. Unlike other sea lions, the Australian sea lion appears to remain near the breeding sites at all times. On some occasions, the female Australian sea lion may take her pup to a haulout to nurse, but it is far more common for the Australian sea lion female to stay near her breeding ground.

Australian Sea Lion Diet

There is no clear evidence as to what the Australian sea lions diet consists of exactly. It is believed that the Australian sea lion eats fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans among other things. Some evidence points to the fact that an Australian sea lion may eat a penguin. The Australian sea lion is not only predator, but also prey. The Great White shark as well as other sharks prey on the Australian sea lion. In general, the Australian sea lion females feed close to shore in shallow waters but in some cases may feed in deeper waters off the coast.

Australian Sea Lion Reproduction

The female Australian sea lion becomes sexually mature around four to six years old. The male Australian sea lion takes quite a bit longer and is not considered sexually mature until he is eight to nine years old. The average life span of an Australian sea lion is up to 25 years of age.

When the Australian sea lion breeds, it is usually on rocks or a sandy beach on an island. The pupping season for the Australian sea lion differs depending on the colony. Not all Australian sea lion colonies have the same breeding seasons so the pupping season will differ as well. The female Australian sea lion gives birth after a 17 month cycle.