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Wildlife of Tasmania
Mammals of Tasmania
Australian Sea Lion, Neophoca cinerea
Australian Sea Lion
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The Australian sea lion has a breeding range which extends from islands off
Western Australia to islands east of Kangaroo Island (South Australia).
The total population size of this species is estimated to be 10 000 animals.
The Australian sea lion once bred in Bass Strait but was eradicated by the
sealing industry.
Australian sea lions have been rarely recorded in Tasmania and are
difficult to distinguish from other local seal species if you're not an
experienced observer.
The Australian sea lion is known to feed on a wide variety of prey,
including fish, cephalopods, sharks, rock lobsters and sea birds.
Tracking studies of this species indicates that breeding females are
'benthic' or bottom feeders on the continental shelf 20- 30 kms offshore,
and dive to depths less than 150 metres.
[Wildlife of Tasmania] [Tasmanian Mammals]
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