All About Sea Lions

By: Jenna

About the Author Hi my name is Jenna and I’m

going to tell you about myself.My favorite movie is Flight 29Down. My favorite song is“Incredible.” Also my favoritesport is Volleyball.

I’m writing about the sea lionbecause some of them aregetting transmitters put into theirbacks because they keep eatingthe fish that the fishermen fish forand they are mad. Also they arecute.

Who am I?

My animal is a Sea Lion and itcan stay under water for tento fifteen minutes at a time.Sea Lions are great swimmerstoo, and can get as fast as25 miles per hour for a shortamount of time. This helpsSea Lions escape from theirenemies: Killer Whales, andsharks. Male Sea lions can beseveral times as big as afemale Sea Lion. Also thebump on the Male’s head iscalled a “crest.”

The Early Years

Young Sea Lions are calledpups and they are born withtheir eyes open and they areborn in June or July. Alsotheir stomach is ready for it’smother’s milk. The milk has alot of fat and this helps thepup grow the blubber tokeep it warm. At just a fewweeks old Sea Lion pups areready for their first swimmingand fishing lessons. They alsomust learn how to stay awayfrom sharks and to survivestorms at sea.

Habitat Sweet Habitat

Sea Lions live on rocky andsandy beaches of coastalislands and mainland shores.They may go to somesandbars, sheltered caves,pools, and structures such aspiers, and buoys.

What’s on the Menu?

Sea Lions eat octopus, squid,and all different kinds of fishlike anchovies, salmon, andother fish. In captivity theyare usually fed smelt andherring. Wild Sea Lions oftenfeed fairly eating 5% to 8% oftheir body weight each day,which is between 15-35pounds of food.

Making Tracks

Sea Lion tracks look kind oflike the tracks to the side. Themiddle part is the stomachthat drags along becausethe Sea Lion’s flippers dig intothe sand and pulls the bodyalong the sand until it gets tothe water or to the place itwants to go.

Simply Irresistible

The California Sea Lions arethe sea lions seen in animalshows or circuses. A group ofsea lions is called a raft. Alsosea lions are usually differentshades of brown. Males areusually darker than females.

Where in the World?

Most Sea Lions live in NorthAmerica, along the coast ofMexico. Also they like itwhere it’s warm and they likehanging out on beachesalong the coast of Californiaand Mexico.

Did you know?

1. Sea Lions are pregnant for10 to 11 months.

2. Sea Lions are known tofeed on seals.

3. Sea Lions weigh 12 to 14pounds at birth.

4. Sea Lions have ear flaps,Seals do not.

Fun Fact!

Sea Lions have three clawson the back of each flipper.

Book List

www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-sea_lion.html http://wiki.answers.com/Q/what_do_sea_lions_eat&alreadya

sked=1 Sea Lions by: Frank Staub Seals By: Steve Parker http://www.victorialodging.com/files/california_sea_lion.jpg picture slide 1 http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41789000/jpg/_41789102_sealion_4

16_afp.jpg picture slide 3 http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared

/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD picture slide 8