Species · GBIF taxon 5218773
South American Sea Lion
Otaria flavescensAlso known as Southern Sea Lion, Patagonian Sea Lion, Lobo Marino
South American sea lions are highly social marine mammals easily recognized by the dramatic physical differences between the sexes. Massive adult males develop a thick, lion-like mane of coarse fur around their swollen necks and can weigh over twice as much as females. During the breeding season, rocky beaches echo with the deep, guttural roars of territorial bulls defending their harems against younger rivals.
MarineSocialVocal
Licensed referenceVince Smith / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Hake
- Squid
- Octopus
Predators
- Killer Whale
- Great White Shark
- Puma
ThreatsFishery interactions, entanglement in marine debris, oil spills, and climate-induced prey shifts
HabitatsRocky coasts, sandy beaches, pebble shores, and shallow coastal waters
Life span15 to 20 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCarnivora
- FamilyOtariidae
- GenusOtaria
- SpeciesOtaria flavescens
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Can deliver a powerful bite if cornered or approached too closely; maintain a distance of at least 50 meters.
- Why it is dangerous
- Adult males can weigh up to 350 kilograms and are highly territorial, capable of charging quickly on land to deliver a severe bite.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for massive, broad-chested bulls with a thick mane of fur and a blunt, upturned snout.
- What to do
- Never block their path to the water, and slowly back away if they sit up, vocalize, or stare directly at you.
Responsible observation
- Keep your distance: Maintain at least 50 meters of space, especially during the breeding season when bulls are highly aggressive.
- Watch for warnings: Back away immediately if a sea lion vocalizes loudly, charges, or holds its ground.
- Keep dogs leashed: Pets can provoke defensive attacks and transmit diseases to marine wildlife.
Frequent Companion 
Predator (c) Martín Acosta Albarracín, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martín Acosta Albarracín · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Liam Steele, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Liam Steele · cc-by
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