Sivuch - description, habitat, lifestyle

In nature, there are numerous subspecies of eared seals, including a representative, which is distinguished by its majesty and impressive size. It's about the sea lion. The animal is also known by another name - sea lion.

As a rule, in humans, a lion is associated with an elegant mane, powerful paws. It’s not for nothing that this predator is called the king of beasts. But the lion is styled not only for him, but also for another representative of the animal world, which has not powerful paws, but flippers, and not a gorgeous mane, but thin wool. To date, this species is under threat of extinction. For this reason, the animal has recently been listed in the Red Book. The scientist-biologist from Germany G. Steller, having seen this regal, enormous animal with a large neck and withers, eyes of golden swell and a thin rear part of the body, instantly introduced the king of beasts.These animals have some similarities. That is why the sea lion and became so called. He roars in a low voice, for this reason no one doubts that he got his name deservedly.

Description and features of the form

Description of the sea lion is quite a lot of interest. Its size is big enough. Adult males reach a length of up to four meters, with a body weight of more than 650 kilograms. There are gigantic representatives among them, whose weight reaches a thousand kilograms. However, there are not many such individuals. As a rule, the average length is from 2.5 to 3 meters. Dimensions of females are always more modest.

On a moving and massive neck of a sea lion there is a rounded head, a wide muzzle, similar to a bulldog, with a slightly upturned nose. The eyes of small sea lions are not very remarkable. The same can be said about the ears. The flippers of the animal are strong and large. The hair on the neck and withers of male individuals is longer and looks like a neck. Because of this, the male is protected from the blows of potential opponents when they fight.The color of the animal is mainly brownish with a yellow tinge. This coloring is not forever. It changes throughout a lifetime. Individuals have pale brown color. When puberty approaches, the sea lion becomes brighter. The color changes due to the change of season. In winter, the Steller sea lion substantially darkens, its color becomes more similar to chocolate. In the summer months, the coloring of sea lions becomes light straw.

In the wool there is a predominance of the spines. In some individuals, you can notice underfur, although, as a rule, it is of poor quality. The sea lion in the photo does not look very nice, and in real life it cannot be said that it is beautiful. However, this representative of the animal world, of course, causes location and respect.

Sivuch polygamy. This means that the male fully copes with the needs of several females. For this reason, harems are often created in their communities, but their morals are democratic. The male does not belong to the female individuals biased and selfish. Due to this, life in harems is quiet and measured, there are no complaints between animals. The female does not feel the need to be near her companion all the time.For her, this provides an excellent opportunity to sit in such a part of the rookery, on which he wishes.

Basically, the female bears and produces one young. When he is born, she begins to show aggression in order to protect herself and the baby from any contact.

14 days later, the male mates with the female, this occurs in the second half of June. At the end of next month, rookeries eventually become empty and harems fall apart.

There are also rookeries designed exclusively for males. There are lonely individuals who, for whatever reason, did not have time to create their own harems. Their age can vary considerably - here you can meet both very young and old animals. When the breeding season is over, all males are reunited into a single society.

Sea lion behavior on a rookery is fairly calm. You can only hear from far away their roar, reminiscent of a steamship whistle. Such sounds are characteristic of males of mature age. Sounds that make females, more like a cow moo. Kids shouting loud and rolling, it's more like bleating sheep.

Sea lions are quite aggressive, so it’s impossible to catch them alive. Animals, as a rule, fight to the end, but do not give in, for this reason, very few of them live in captivity. However, there is one unusual case when the sea lion sealed began to be friends with a man and all the time came to the tent for food.

Where is the sea lion

All his life the sea lion or wanders or is on a rookery. In winter, the habitat of the animal are latitudes with a warm climate, the shores of Mexico. In the spring, it migrates to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Here are the most suitable conditions for carrying and giving birth to babies. The largest number of individuals is located near the western shores of Sakhalin Island. In the spring they can be found in the Tatar Strait.

Sivuchi try not to create numerous clusters. At the time of the creation of harems on the coasts of rookeries, from one male is from five to twenty females. All harems are in their own territory. In most cases, they settle on a flat surface and only occasionally at a small elevation above sea level.

How to breed and how many sea lions live

Steller males reach puberty at the age of eight years, in females it occurs somewhat faster - at 3-5 years. In the first spring months, the animals begin to multiply. Males reclaim territory for rookeries in fierce battles. Females come to this place. After a short postpartum period, copulation occurs again with them. The male reliably protects and protects females from his harem.

The period of gestation in a female sea lion lasts 12 months. She diligently takes care of the baby born and never leaves it. However, after a short period of time, when the cub grows up, the female is forced to leave him in order to find food for him and herself.

By the end of spring, the young become large, they no longer need constant guardianship, for this reason the harem disintegrates and individuals are mixed together.

Life expectancy of sea lions is 25-30 years. Now the number of these animals is rapidly decreasing for unknown reasons. Some suggest that the sea lions, like many other members of the animal world, are adversely affected by deteriorating ecology. Also, there is a massive destruction of sea lions.In addition, sea lions may disappear because fishing vessels catch pollock and herring, the main food of sea lions.