Patagonian Sea Lion Otaria flavescens (prev. byronia)

There are six species of Sea Lion. The Patagonian Sea Lion shown here, also called the South American Sea Lion, lives around the rocky coasts of South America from Peru on the Pacific and Uruguay on the Atlantic south to Tierra del Fuego. It is the only species in its genus.

The second largest of the Sea Lions, males can reach 9 feet in length and weigh some 350Kg; females weigh half as much.

When their fur is dry, males are brown, females are yellowish brown and pups are black; when wet, they can all look dark brown to black.

They can hold their breath underwater for 20 minutes before needing to surface for air.