Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Zalophus wollebaeki
- Common name
- Galapagos Sea Lion
- Category
- Marine mammals
- Family
- Otariidae
- Genus
- Zalophus
- Size
- 150–250 cm
- Depth
- 0–20 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Eastern Pacific
Description
Zalophus wollebaeki reaches 2.5 m. Endemic sea lion to the Galapagos Islands (East Pacific). Brown to black, males larger with frontal crest. Active hunter of fish and cephalopods, diving to 20 m. Highly social, colonial on rocky haul-outs. Acrobatic in open water. Critically threatened population due to overfishing and climate change (IUCN EN). Spectacular for divers.
Photo of Galapagos Sea Lion
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Galapagos Sea Lion?
- Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) reaches 150–250 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Galapagos Sea Lion?
- Galapagos Sea Lion is found between 0–20 m deep.
- Is the Galapagos Sea Lion dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Galapagos Sea Lion?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the Galapagos Sea Lion?
- Found in: Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Otariidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 255005)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2433460)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia