The Australian sea lion is a marine mammal found along the western and southern coastlines of Australia. They have thick fur to keep them warm in the water and flippers instead of legs to help them swim. They feed on fish, squid, and other sea creatures. Females give birth to a single pup each year between January and June. The Australian sea lion is endangered due to past overhunting and current threats such as entanglement in fishing nets, shark attacks, boat strikes, and water pollution.

1. Australian Sea Lion.By Daniel and Georgia.

2. Type of animalThey are marine mammals.They are Pinnipeds.(flippers instead legs)They are a type of Australian marsupial.

3. AppearanceMales have dark fur and a pale neck.They have thick fur.They have flippers that help them swim in seas.Females have grey fur on their back and creamy fur on the front.

4. HabitatThey are found in Australia.They live along parts of the western and southern coastline.They were once found in the eastern coastline.

5. What the sea lion eats.Sea lions eat fish, squid and other sea creatures.When they’re young, they drink milk from their mum.They hunt close to the seafloor.

6. Life-cycle of the Australian Sea Lion.Pups may be born at any time of the year.Australian Sea Lion can live up to 20 years.The young can be born any time from January to June.Timing of the birth of pups are not the same at each breeding island.Females give birth to only one pup and may not breed for 2 or 3 years.

8. Why the Australian Sea Lion is endangeredThe Australian Sea Lion once lived further east, but seal hunters continued to killed the colonies in Bass Strait towards the 19th century.They are almost hunted to extinction.They often get caught in nets.The Great White Shark can kill Sea Lions.

9. Why the Australian Sea Lion is endangered.(continued)They get struck by boats.Humans pollute the water.

10. Interesting factsThe Australian Sea Lion is called a ‘Pinnipeds’, which means ‘fin foot’.They are marine mammals.Their fur keeps them warm.They were hunted for the 18th and 19th century.

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