Galapagos - sealions
The Galapagos sea lion is a species that primarily breeds in the Galapagos Islands, although some breeding colonies also occur on Isla de la Plata just off of mainland Ecuador. They are one of two types of seal found in Galapagos and are part of the eared seal family, the other being the Galapagos fur seal. There is a large degree of sexual dimorphism, with males weighing up to four times as much as females. The males also have a prominent bump on their forehead, making them easy to distinguish. All members of this species have brown or grey fur, females generally being a lighter shade than males, and newborn pups being chestnut brown. The sea lions have a smooth and streamlined body shape, making them efficient hunters. They spend a lot of their time resting on beaches or playing, and are generally inquisitive; they’re also unbelievably cute!
Please note that the underwater photos were taken with a “point and shoot” camera, rather than my normal DSLR kit. Image quality is therefore not of the same standard, but it does give you the idea of how lithe the sea lions are when in the water.
