Sea lions are a group of marine mammals classified as pinnipeds, characterized by their external ear flaps, elongated foreflippers, and ability to traverse land on all fours. They fall under the family Otariidae, which comprises six living species and one extinct species. Their habitat spans from subarctic to tropical waters, with the exception of the northern Atlantic Ocean.
The average lifespan of sea lions ranges between 20 to 30 years. Male California sea lions typically weigh around 300 kg and measure approximately 2.4 meters in length, while females generally weigh about 100 kg and reach lengths of about 1.8 meters. Steller sea lions represent the largest species, capable of growing up to 1,000 kg and measuring as much as 3.0 meters long. On a daily basis, sea lions consume roughly 5–8% of their body weight in food and can achieve swimming speeds of up to 30 knots (56 km/h).
