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We found this picture in the Compton's Encylopedia. The sea lion is on a rock off the coast of California. |
The sea lion lives off the west coast of North America. It is a vertebrate which means it has a backbone. The sea lion lives in warm climates and migrates south to warmer climates when the temperature cools down. It is a mammal which means it has mammary glands that produce milk for its young. The physical features are growth of 5-11 feet in length and weight from 77-2400 lbs. Usually, the male is bigger than the female. The body of the sea lion is shaped like a torpedo so it can swim faster and easier. The sea lion has whiskers, a little fur, blubber, and fins.
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The sea lion was not at the zoo. The pool was being cleaned. |
The sea lion's habitat is mostly water. It also can live on land for a long period of time. On land it must be on a shoreline where it is rocky. The climate must be warm. These animals do not have to migrate so far south because they are in California. They migrate south to the tip of South America where it is warmer when the temperature cools down.
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One adaptation that the sea lion has is its blubber to keep it warm when it is in cold water. It has a torpedo-shaped body to swim faster and escape enemies. It has very sharp teeth for catching prey and protecting itself. It also has the ability to stay on land while there are predators in the water.
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The environmental changes affecting the sea lion are oil spills, fishermen, and the dumping of garbage in the ocean. The sea lion gets trapped in the nets of fishermen and oil spills. Garbage dumping can destroy the food supply and make the sea lions sick.
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"Sea Lion." Compton's Encyclopedia. 1996 ed. "Sea Lion." World Encyclopedia. 1995 ed. "Sea Lion." International Wildlife Encyclopedia .1990 ed. |
