Animal Fact Sheets
Australian Sealion (Neophoca cinerea)

The Australian Sealion is a large sea mammal growing two and a half metres in length and weighing up to 220 kg.

Photo: Robert Dockerill

Its body is streamlined like a torpedo to enable it to glide through the water. The male, called a bull, has a very thick neck and powerful shoulders. The forelimbs and hind limbs are flippers which are used for swimming. When swimming the hind limbs move up and down propelling the Australian Sealion forward, similar to a dolphin’s tail. The males are chocolate brown in colour while the females are slightly silver in colour on their backs with cream down their sides.

Breeding and Lifecycle
All other types of sealions and indeed other marine mammals have a short breeding season. However, the Australian Sealion has a long breeding season which lasts from October to January. Births have even been witnessed in June and March. Marine mammals usually have a yearly breeding cycle but it appears the Australian Sealion has an eighteen month cycle. The pups are born in gullies or crevices in the rocky sections of the beach. The aggressive nature of the Australian Sealion can make life very tough for the newly born youngsters. Many pups have been killed by bite wounds inflicted by aggressive males.

Habitat and Distribution
The Australian Sealion’s habitat is limited to the beaches and waters along the southern coastline of Australia, the north coast of Tasmania and in Bass Strait. On land the forelimbs and hind limbs are used to move in a shuffling walk. Sandy beaches are the preferred places for the Australian Sealion to come ashore. However, it is in the rocky areas where breeding occurs. The sealion has a layer of fur, fat and blubber which enables it to cope with cold waters.

Diet
The diet of the Australian Sealion is mainly fish and squid. The occasional penguin will be eaten if the opportunity arises. Speed and surprise are the two elements used by this animal to catch its prey. It has the ability to hold its breath for long periods and can dive to depths of 100m. The flippers are used to propel the animal after its food. Fish and squid are caught in the mouth and quickly eaten as the Australian Sealion doesn’t chew its food, it just swallows it whole.

Threats to Survival
During the last century the Australian Sealion was heavily hunted for its fur. Hunting is now illegal and is strictly policed to ensure the sealion’s survival. Due to hunting the population of the Australian Sealion is believed to be less than 4,000. Their breeding sites are fragile environments and are sensitive to human disturbance and therefore also require protection.

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