Marine mammals in Earth’s polar regions often capture public fascination, prompting questions about which species thrive in these extreme environments. Many people wonder if sea lions, with their distinctive appearance and behaviors, make their home in the vast, frozen landscape of Antarctica.
Antarctica’s Marine Mammals
True sea lions do not inhabit the Antarctic continent or its surrounding waters. Instead, Antarctica is home to a rich diversity of other pinniped species, a group of fin-footed marine mammals that includes seals. Six distinct seal species are commonly found in Antarctic waters. These include the Weddell seal, Crabeater seal, Leopard seal, Ross seal, Southern elephant seal, and the Antarctic fur seal.
Crabeater seals are particularly abundant. Leopard seals function as apex predators within the Antarctic ecosystem, preying on various marine life including penguins and other seals. Southern elephant seals are notable for their immense size, with males weighing several tons. While the Antarctic fur seal, an “eared seal,” is found in the region, it is distinct from what are considered “true sea lions.”
Distinguishing Sea Lions from Seals
The terms “seal” and “sea lion” are often confused, but these marine mammals have clear distinguishing features. One of the most apparent differences is the presence of external ear flaps. Sea lions, along with fur seals, belong to the “eared seal” family (Otariidae) and possess visible ear flaps. In contrast, “true seals” (Phocidae) lack external ear flaps, having only small ear openings on the sides of their heads.
Differences in their flippers also affect how they move on land. Sea lions have large, strong front flippers and can rotate their hind flippers forward underneath their bodies. This allows them to “walk” or “gallop” on all fours, appearing more agile on terrestrial surfaces. True seals, with their smaller front flippers and hind flippers that extend backward, move on land by wriggling their bodies in a caterpillar-like motion. Additionally, sea lions are known for being quite vocal, often emitting loud barks, while true seals tend to be much quieter, communicating with softer grunts or hisses.
Where True Sea Lions Roam
True sea lions are found in coastal areas of temperate and subpolar waters across both hemispheres. Their distribution notably excludes the North Atlantic Ocean and the Antarctic continent. These animals prefer habitats such as sandy beaches, rocky coves, and coastal islands, which provide essential sites for resting, breeding, and raising their young.
Several species exemplify this global distribution. California sea lions are commonly seen along the western coast of North America, stretching from Alaska down to Mexico, and also in parts of Japan and Korea. Steller sea lions, the largest sea lion species, inhabit the North Pacific, from Central California up to the Aleutian Islands and across to eastern Russia. South American sea lions reside along the coasts of South America, including Peru and the Falkland Islands. Other species include the Australian sea lion, found off Australia’s western and southern coasts, and the New Zealand sea lion, primarily located around New Zealand’s subantarctic Auckland Islands.