South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens)
Group formation: Gregarious 10->100, male territories during breeding
Size: males 2.7 m, females 2 m, calf 75-85 cm
Weight: males 350 kg, females 150 kg, calf 11-15 kg
Age: 20 yrs
Sexual maturity: males 6 yrs, females 4 yrs
Gestation: 12 mths
Weaning: 12 mths
Diet: variety of fish species, including Argentine hake and anchovies, cephalopods, such as shortfin squid, Patagonian squid, and octopus, can prey on penguins, pelicans, and young South American fur seals predators: sharks, killer whales
Distribution: along the coast of South America, in Brazil; Chile; Falkland Islands (Malvinas); Peru; Uruguay
Chile: there are many colonies inside the fjords of Aysen and are a common sight, there are conflicts with salmon farms
Population size: 250 000
Conservation Status: Least Concern ver 3.1, Pop. trend: stable
Threats: Illegal catches (especially around aquaculture), habitat degradation, chemical and plastic pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, bycatch, over fishing, captivity