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One of the most common species you will see while cruising in the Galapagos Islands is the Galapagos sea lion. Their sounds are unmistakable (and can be fairly loud). Sleek bodies allow for frolicking in the crystal clear waters of the marine reserve. As one of the planet’s most playful creatures, they are a joy to watch in their element, where their curious and imposing nature often makes for some of the best candid photography of any Galapagos trip. The best way to get to know this species is to observe them on land, at sea, and underwater. In Galapagos, no one gets tired of watching sea lions!
Did you hear Pinniped? Just what is a Galapagos Sea Lion anyway?
Nothing describes a Galapagos sea lion better than its classification order: Pinnipedia (fin-like foot). This order includes walruses, true seals, and sea lions. Galapagos sea lions are part of the Otariid family, which includes all eared seals (sea lions and fur seals). Scholars agree that its ancestor has to be the California sea lion, which makes the Galapagos sea lion a true equatorial pinniped. Strong northerly currents may have forced some individuals to swim and drift far south, and Galapagos offered a suitable habitat for all individuals.
Galapagos sea lions range in size from around 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.4 meters) long and weigh 110 to 550 pounds (50 to 150 kg). Females are smaller and a lighter shade of brown than males, although this is harder to distinguish when wet. Like all sea lions, they can prop themselves on their front flippers to waddle around on land. In the water, their grace and speed certainly come into play. These marine mammals are incredibly graceful and fast. For those lucky enough to catch it, they elegantly perform what could be interpreted as a water ballet.
Galapagos Fur Seal vs. Galapagos Sea Lion: What’s the Difference?
Two kinds of creatures from the seal/sea lion family are known to frequent the Galapagos Islands. These are the Galapagos sea lion and the Galapagos fur seal. Their names are deceiving as both of them fit the pinniped classification from this family instead of the phocid, or true seal. Fur seals are their own distinct group outside of the sea lions.
If you’re wondering about the differences between true seals and sea lions, a few key features make it easy to tell them apart. Otariids (sea lions and fur seals) move about on land by propping themselves on their front flippers. A true seal does not have the bone and muscle development to support themselves on their flippers, so their time on land involves one long belly scoot or back roll. Sea lions also have external ear lobes, making it easier to tell them apart when all you can see is a head bobbing above water. During your Galapagos Island tour, only fur seals and sea lions are present, so you won’t get them mixed up with true seals.
Now, size is the easiest way to distinguish a fur seal from a Galapagos sea lion. The Galapagos fur seal, which measures under 3 feet (0.91 meters) in length at adulthood, is the smallest of all seals and sea lions. This feature alone makes them unique. Also, they inhabit rocky and ragged shorelines exclusively with direct access to the ocean, while sea lions can use beaches or rocky coasts. Swimming with both species is an absolute delight. Once you have seen both types, the size distinction will be clear. Your onboard naturalist guide can also help you with identification.
Ever wondered about the term “delayed implantation”?
Galapagos sea lions have a harem-like structure where a single male will have many females in his breeding group and will be very territorial over his mates. Because of this mating structure, other shores of the same island have non-territorial males who did not successfully mate this breeding season. They tend to roost together, eating and building up their chances to try again to gain some females the following year. As males invest huge amounts of energy guarding, protecting, and mating, there comes a point at which no energy is left, and that may provide a window of opportunity for any potential male in a more fit condition.
When hiking, snorkeling, or exploring the Galapagos Islands, it is important to remember that these animals are in their environment, where mating or birthing sea lions is an absolute priority. Aggressive behaviors of territorial males and females who have recently given birth may be observed throughout your journey. Female sea lions have an amazing reproductive adaptation in their evolutionary history called delayed implantation. It is a reproductive strategy used by almost 100 mammals in seven different orders. Here, the embryo does not immediately implant in the uterus; rather, the body stores it in a state of dormancy. No development takes place during this period, and, as a result, the normal gestation period is extended, sometimes by as much as a year. This obligatory diapause is the mechanism that allows mammals to time the birth of their youngsters with favorable environmental feeding conditions. Clever!
Melissa Altamirano
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
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Melissa Altamirano
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
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How to See Galapagos Sea Lions
There are three main ways to view Galapagos sea lions. You can hike to a visitor site with a naturalist guide and explore the beaches from a safe, respectful distance. You can spend hours watching their daily whereabouts. You can also kayak or explore the coastline to spot sea lions’ favorite lounging shorelines. You can also see them underwater while diving or snorkeling at some of the island’s extraordinary sites.
Since Galapagos sea lions prefer beaches and shallow access to the ocean, newborns have a continuous playground to stimulate certain senses and develop their mobility. While most pups are born between late August and mid-October, development continues throughout their “pup stage.” This implies being playful in the water and highly curious on land. This continues through June/July, but subadults retain their gregarious behavior by “hanging out” with other subadults. Guests love to observe sea lions, but their puppy months leave unique memories. Sea lions are part of the BIG15 list of the Galapagos’ most iconic species. If you are lucky enough to see a Galapagos sea lion underwater, they have been known to swim gracefully around snorkeling outings and entice explorers to play.
