Scientific Name – Otariidae

Classification – Otariidae

Gender Names – Male – bull                ; Female – cow; Baby – pup

Collective Noun – Colony, Herd, pod, rookery, harem

Length/Size – 1.5m – 2m (59in – 79in)

Weight – 105kg – 300kg (230lbs – 661lbs)

Top Speed – 44km/h (27mph)

Life Expectancy – 12-18 years; up to 30 in captivity

Mating Season – Varies between 9 subspecies

Gestation Period – 295 days

Special Features – More closely related to sea lions than true seals and have external ears

Social Structure – Live in colonies (structure varies between subspecies)

Geographical Distribution – One subspecies in the Northern Hemisphere (North Pacific) others spread across Southern Hemisphere

Natural Habitat – Cold waters and rocky land

Conservation Status – Threatened

Diet – Squid, Fish, Birds

Predators – Leopard Seal, Sharks, Killer Whale