Galápagos sea lion
| Galápagos sea lion | |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Parvorder: | Pinnipedia |
| Family: | Otariidae |
| Genus: | Zalophus |
| Species: | Z. wollebaeki |
| Binomial name | |
| Zalophus wollebaeki Sivertsen, 1953 | |
| Galápagos sea lion range | |
The Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) is a species of sea lion that lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata (Ecuador). Being fairly social, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups, or gliding through the surf. While they may seem like easy friends with their proximity to heavily populated areas, it is important to keep distance from these animals, as disruption may cause issues for them and for anyone who gets too close. They are the smallest sea lion species.