(fur seals, sea lions)

Otariidae

There are 14 species in this family. They are found along coastlines around North and South America, Northern and Central Asia, and along the southwest coast of Australia. The have long, fur-covered bodies; external ears; front and rear flippers; and a very short tail. Their front flippers have claws on the end. The species in this family use their front and rear flippers to walk on land and they use their front flippers to propel themselves through the water. The species in this family are very social and live in large groups. They eat fish and crustaceans. In the United States, the species in this family are found along the Pacific Coast

Otariidae Genera

Otariidae General Resources

Arctocephalus (southern fur seals)

Callorhinus (northern fur seal)

Eumetopias (Steller sea lion)

Neophoca (Australian sea lion)

Otaria (South American sea lion)

Phocarctos (New Zealand sea lion)

Zalophus (California sea lion)