Mammals

Sea Lions
Zalophus californianus

These creatures can weigh up to 250 kg (male) and the female about 130kg. They have extremely good eyesight and sensitive whiskers, both of which help them when they are catching food in the water. The male, as well as being larger than the female, has a bump on his forehead. Their diet is mainly sardines (about 70%) and they can dive up to 60 metres.
Threats - Sharks, Orcas and seal pox, which reduced the population by 50%.

Fur Seal
Arctocephalus galapageinis (endemic)

These animals are smaller than sea lions and have pointed noses and big round eyes. They feed at night on squid and small schools of fish. These animals belong to the Family Otariidae, known as the Eared Seals. All Eared Seals have external ears, use their front flippers for swimming, and can turn their hind flippers forward so they are able to walk on land. Do you know how to tell the difference between a sea lion and a seal?
Threats - they nearly became extinct at the beginning of the 20th Century as a result of whalers and skin hunters.

Whales

The largest of these is the Sperm Whale (up to 18 metres long). They can descend to depths of 3 km to feed on squid and giant squid. Probably the most dramatic of the whales in the area is the Orca/Killer Whale with its black and white markings. They prey on sea lions, penguins, sharks and other whales. The most common of the Baleen Whales found in the Galapagos are the Humpback and Minke Whales.

Dolphins

Both the Common Dolphin and Bottle Nosed Dolphin are found in the area. The larger, the Bottle Nosed, can grow up to 4 metres long. They are often found in large schools of up to 200 dolphins.

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