Which Australian pinniped is the only seal species breeding exclusively in Australia?

The Australian sea lion is the only seal species that breeds exclusively in Australia.

Australian sea lions live along the southern and western coasts of Australia, including offshore islands. They are otariids, meaning they have external ear flaps and can rotate their hind flippers forward to move more effectively on land. They forage in coastal waters for fish, squid, octopuses, and other prey.

Their breeding cycle is unusual among pinnipeds because colonies do not all breed at the same time. Different colonies follow different schedules, with breeding seasons separated by roughly 17 to 18 months. This pattern is unlike the annual synchronized breeding of many related seals.

The species is endangered. Threats include accidental capture in fishing equipment, reduced prey availability, disease, pollution, and disturbance at breeding colonies. “Sea lion” is not the same as “seal” in everyday classification, but both are pinnipeds; Australian sea lions belong to the eared-seal family.