Galapagos Sealion

About the Galapagos Sealion

The Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) is a species of sea lion that lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata (Ecuador). They are the smallest sea lion species. This species was first described by E. Sivertsen in 1953. It has been considered a subspecies of Zalophus californianus (called Z. c. wollebaeki) by many authors. But genetic data supports Z. wollebaeki as a separate species. The species belongs to the family Otariidae and genus Zalophus.

Slightly smaller than their Californian congener, Galápagos sea lions range from 1.5 to 2.5 m (4.9 to 8.2 ft) in length and weigh between 50 and 400 kg (110 and 880 lb), with the males averaging larger than females. Sexual dimorphism plays a small role in the physical characteristics and size of Galápagos sea lions, as males also tend to have a thicker, more robust neck, chest, and shoulders in comparison to their slender abdomen, whereas females have a longer, more slender neck and thick torso. The male's sagittal crest enlarges when he reaches sexual maturity, forming a small, characteristic bump-like projection on his forehead. Adult females... Wikipedia →