Featuring in my middle-grade novel Legend of the Lighthouse Moon, the Australian Sea Lion- Neophoca Cinerea - is highly endangered. Almost hunted into extinction in the 19th century by sealers, they have never recovered as well as the Fur Seal. There are only 12,000 left. Most of those (70%) are in South Australia. Seal Bay is the third largest colony.
Sea lions can be identified by their external rolled ears and their flippers. They use these flippers to walk on land, unlike seals who slither on their bellies. Also, unlike seals, sea lions use their front flippers to swim and their rear flippers as their 'rudder'. They are the only ocean mammal who 'claps' when swimming-stretching their flippers out to the sides and sweeping them down. Then, it tucks its flippers against its body, forming a torpedo shape that glides easily through the water.
They have long breeding cycles of 18 months and breed asynchronously. They feed their pups for up to 18 months. Females, called cows, stay close to the place they were born and are incredible map makers. Males, called bulls, have larger ranges and can even gather together in a sort of bachelor pad!
#childrensbooks #kangarooisland #australia #oceanconservation #sealions #historicalfacts #lighthouses #australianbooks #historicalplace
The Australian sea lion is still at risk of extinction. Their biggest threats include habitat loss and drowning from fishing nets.
Conservationists are working hard to prevent the loss of this intelligent and beautiful creature.
15 сен 2024
