Galapagos Sealion Mother & new pup RABIDA ISLAND

Galapagos Sealion (Zalophus wollebaeki)
Mother & new pup
RABIDA ISLAND
GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR. South America
There are approximately 16,000 individual sealions in the archipelago and numbers are increasing. Males are much larger than females, weighing up to 250kg compared with 100kg in the females. They spend a large amount of time hauled up on sandy beaches. The males establish territories which are savagely defended from rivals. Young bachelors and unsuccessful bulls then leave the area and establish bachelor colonies on the outskirts of female haul-outs. Reproduction occurs mainly in the Garua season between July and December and will vary from Island to Island. Sealions are highly thigmotactic (seeking body contact) and loaf around in piles on the beaches. They are extremely efficient hunters, preferring sardines to other fish, so spend a considerable time resting or at play. Underwater they are well streamlined, lithe and acrobatic.
ENDEMIC

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Copyright: © Pete Oxford
Image Size: 5515x3681 / 12.8MB; Ecuador Endemic Galapagos Galapagos Islands Galapagos Sealion Island Mammal Marine Pup Sealion South America Zalophus wollebaeki mother rabida young
Contained in galleries: Galapagos December 2014 Trip

Galapagos Sealion (Zalophus wollebaeki) <br />
Mother & new pup<br />
RABIDA ISLAND<br />
GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR. South America<br />
There are approximately 16,000 individual sealions in the archipelago and numbers are increasing. Males are much larger than females, weighing up to 250kg compared with 100kg in the females. They spend a large amount of time hauled up on sandy beaches. The males establish territories which are savagely defended from rivals. Young bachelors and unsuccessful bulls then leave the area and establish bachelor colonies on the outskirts of female haul-outs. Reproduction occurs mainly in the Garua season between July and December and will vary from Island to Island. Sealions are highly thigmotactic (seeking body contact) and loaf around in piles on the beaches. They are extremely efficient hunters, preferring sardines to other fish, so spend a considerable time resting or at play. Underwater they are well streamlined, lithe and acrobatic.<br />
ENDEMIC