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 A sea lion in Monterey, California | ||||||||||||
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Hundreds of California Sea Lions sunbathing on Pier 39 in San Francisco.
Sea lions are any of seven species in six genera of modern pinnipeds including one extinct one (the Japanese sea lion). Sea lions are characterized by the presence of external ear pinnae or flaps, long front flippers, and the ability to walk on four flippers on land. Their range extends from the subarctic to tropical waters of the global ocean in both the northern and southern hemispheres with the notable exception of the Atlantic Ocean. They are generally found in shallow waters of coastal areas of both with abundant food resources.ANIMAL BYTES - Sea Lions & Fur Seals. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
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Together with the fur seals, they comprise the Otariidae family, collectively known as eared seals. Until recently, sea lions were grouped under a single subfamily called Otariinae to distinguish them from the fur seals Arcocephalinae, based on the most prominent common feature between all species, namely the lack of dense underfur characteristic of the latter. Recent genetic evidence, however, strongly suggests that the Callorhinus, the genus of the Northern fur seal is more closely related to some sea lion species than to the fur seal genus Arctocephalus. Wynen, L.P. et al. (2001) Phylogenetic relationships within the eared seals (Otariidae: Carnivora): implications for the historical biogeography of the family. Mol. Phylog. Evol. 21, 270–284 Therefore the fur seal/sealion subfamily distinction has been largely eliminated. Nonetheless, all sea lions have certain features in common, in particular the coarse, short fur, greater bulk and larger prey than fur seals.
Some species of sea lions are readily trainable and are often a popular attraction at zoos and aquariums. The archetypical circus seal performing behaviors such as throwing and catching balls on their noses and clapping is almost always, in fact, a sea lion.
The government of Japan has set a quota of 116 kills per year in Hokkaido,[citation needed] as sea lions are seen as a threat to commercial fisheries. International environmentalists and local fishery advocates continue to debate the issue.
The Norwegian government has set a quota of 200 kills per year.[citation needed]
Sea lions have been trained by the U.S. Navy\'s Marine Mammal Program, based in San Diego to detain scuba divers.Watkins, Thomas (2007-02-12). Navy may deploy anti-terrorism dolphins. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
Sea lion attacks on humans are rare, but have occurred in at least a single notable case, in which a 13 year-old Australian girl was attacked while in the water. Sources said that the likeliest explanation was that the animal was attempting to play with the girl.BBC News: Sea lion attacks Australian girlnews.com.au: Monster sea lion likely to be \'playing\' with teenSea lion mauls girl
The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals. They often depicted sea lions in their art.Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.
A hybrid sea lion from a cross between the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) has occurred.[citation needed]
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