Sea lion – Puppy of the ocean!

Sea lions are sometimes called “angels of the sea” because of their swimming style. Sea lions can hold their breath underwater for up to 20 minutes and dive to almost 275 m (900 feet)! Their average swimming speed is about 15-20 kmh (11 mph) but they can sprint at up to 40 kmh (25 mph). Like dogs and cats, they use their whiskers to “scan” their environment – mostly for food. They are a lot like adorable little puppies: social, playful, curious and not afraid of humans. Many divers can tell you about their funny underwater play dates with these cute creatures! You can find them in big colonies on beaches, oceanfront city piers, and of course in oceans around the world. Their blubber layer helps them regulate their temperature wherever they are. They are easy to train and teach tricks like flips, jumps, spins and little wobbly-dance routines. For many years, they have been popular attractions in zoos, water parks and circuses. Just as dogs can be trained to become police dogs, some sea lions have even been trained by the U.S. Navy to help in underwater missions! Five Fun Facts: - Home: Oceans around the world, except the Atlantic - Years on Earth: 30 million - Favorite food: Fish, squid and octopus, which they swallow whole - Size: Up to 3 meters (almost 10 feet) long. That’s longer than a small car! - Environmental threats: Climate change, ocean pollution, eating plastic waste mistaken for food, being caught in fishing nets. Want to become a Sea Life Friend? Here’s how: 1. Push the purple pledge button 2. Download, print and sign the pledge to do your best to take care of the sea and all life inside it! Thank you for being an amazing Sea Life Friend! Sources: https://dolphins.org/sea_lion_info