Sea lion
Template:Common name for For other uses of the term "sea lion", see Sea lion (disambiguation).
| Sea lion | |
|---|---|
| |
| A sea lion in Monterey, California | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: | in part
|
| Genera | |
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.[1]
monkeyjunk
Interactions with humans
Some species of sea lions are readily trainable and are often a popular attraction at zoos and aquariums. The archetypal circus seal performing behaviors such as throwing and catching balls on its nose 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.[2]
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.[3][4][5]
The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals. They often depicted sea lions in their art.[6]
autium carter got raped by a big black guy
Hybrids
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]
References
- ^ "ANIMAL BYTES - Sea Lions & Fur Seals". Retrieved 2007-07-21.
- ^ Watkins, Thomas (2007-02-12). "Navy may deploy anti-terrorism dolphins". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- ^ BBC News: Sea lion attacks Australian girl
- ^ news.com.au: Monster sea lion likely to be 'playing' with teen
- ^ Sea lion mauls girl
- ^ Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.
sea lions deserve to burn in fiery pits of the inferno