The New Zealand Sea Lion is a species of sea lion that lives mainly in New Zealand. 95% of the worldwide animals live in three colonies on the Auckland Islands. Rarely, they live on the South Island. When the breeding season is over, some NZ Sea Lions go to the coasts of the NZ South Island.
Characteristics
The male NZ Sea Lion grows up to 2,45 metres length and are very dark, the female type has rarely a length over 2 metres. They have a brighter colour, they are light brown. Male Sea Lions weigh 320-450 kilograms, the females are much lighter, they weigh 90-165 kilograms.
Way to live
On the coasts, every male Sea Lion will defend his territory against other males. This is the reason for many heavy fights between the males, the results are death or heavy wounds, the stronger animals push the weaker on a hopeless place on the edge of the colony. The male NZ Sea Lions fight for the best place in the territory, to have the best place near to the female animals.
Protection
Now, there live circa 10000 to 15000 animals worldwide, but originally there were much more Sea Lions on the Islands. The people think that the Sea Lions live on the mainland too in the past. The reason for the less population are the seal hunters, that kill many Sea Lions in the 19. century.
© Maurizio
Good text Maurizio! You are a friend of nature, aren't you? :-)
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