Family: |
Otariidae () |
Max. size: |
190 cm TL (male/unsexed); 140 cm TL (female); max.weight: 170 kg; max.weight: 55 kg |
Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine |
Distribution: |
Eastern Central Pacific: USA and Mexico. |
Diagnosis: |
Dusky black with lighter ventrum. Gray head and shoulders, black nose with brown-red hair around the eyes. Guard hairs are white-tipped in adult males. Claws present in 5 fingers and absent on the 1st and 5th toes. Cartilaginous webbing extends past the claws. Females have 2 pairs abdominal nipples. |
Biology: |
Found at sea, on beaches; when ashore, they prefer volcanic caves and grottos, or other rocky habitats. Found at sea, on beaches; when ashore, they prefer volcanic caves and grottos, or other rocky habitats. Both male and female territorial. Extralimital sightings in California corresponds with El NiƱo events (Ref. 1394). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
(LC); Date assessed: 10 October 2014 Ref. 123251)
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Threat to humans: |
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Country info: |
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