South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens).

CAPPOZZO, H.L

Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals

Academic Press

Lugar: San Diego; Año: 2002; p. 1143 - 1146

The scientific name of the South American sea lion has been under discussion for many years. Two names were in use until a few years ago: Otaria flavescens (Shaw, 1800) and Otaria byronia (de Blainville, 1820). More recently, use of O. flavescens has been recommended; this is the name used throughout the distribution area in South America. The common name changes with location: lobo marino de un pelo, león marino del sur, lobo marino del sur, lobo común, lobo chusco, leâo marinho, or lobo marinho de um pelo. “South American sea lion” is preferable to “Southern sea lion,” as it prevents confusion with Australian and New Zealand sea lions, species also distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. This species is one of five that make up the subfamily Otariinae, part of the family Otariidae, usually called otariids, or pinnipeds with ears. It is one of the largest and most dimorphic otariids. Adult males are much heavier than females. Differences in size between males and females have also been documented among juveniles, and even newborns. The sex ratio at birth is 1:1. Adult males reach a maximum length of around 3 m and weigh 300 to 350 kg; adult females are about 2 m long and weigh up to 150 kg. The newborn n sea lion usually weighs between 12 and 15 kg and is 0.75 to 0.86 cm long. Adult males have a characteristic hairy, thick-neck. The color is generally brownish, from the very dark brown of adult males to almost yellow in females. Pups are black at birth. After the molt of the embryonic coat (lanuga) at 2 months, the first juvenile hair is reddish brown, changing in color with age and sex. The South American sea lion eats mainly fish and squids, but its diet is very variable and it adapts easily to locally abundant prey, including crustaceans and even penguins.