A sea lion is any of several marine mammals of the family Otariidae. 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. Sea lions are generally found in coastal waters of the temperate to subpolar regions of both northern and southern hemispheres.
SUBORDER PINNIPEDIA
Family Otariidae
Subfamily Arctocephalinae: fur seals
Subfamily Otariinae
Steller's Sea Lion, Eumetopias jubatus
California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens
Australian Sea Lion, Neophoca cinerea
New Zealand Sea Lion, Phocarctos hookeri
Family Phocidae: true seals
Family Odobenidae: Walrus
A hybrid sealion from a cross between the California sealion (Zalophus californianus) and the South American sealion (Otaria byronia) has occurred. A genetically confirmed Harp seal x Hooded seal hybrid has occurred.
