Which Australian marine mammal is the only seal species endemic to Australia?

The Australian sea lion is the only seal species endemic to Australia.

Neophoca cinerea lives along the southern and western coasts, with breeding colonies scattered from the Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia to islands off South Australia. Unlike many seals, Australian sea lions have a breeding cycle that is not synchronized across all colonies; different colonies breed at different times.

They feed in coastal waters on fish, squid, octopuses and other marine prey. Females are generally smaller than males, and pups are born on land before entering the water as they grow.

The species is classified as endangered, with threats including accidental capture in fishing gear, disease, human disturbance and the effects of small, isolated breeding colonies. Fur seals and sea lions are often mixed up: both occur in Australian waters, but the Australian sea lion is the country’s unique endemic otariid.