Begging Galapagos Sea Lion Postcard

A Galapagos sea lion begs for fish scraps at the fish market in Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands. Two pelicans watch wistfully, wondering how they can get a share. A heron and another pelican loiter in the background. With a population size of about 50,000, the Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus, subspecies: wollebacki) is one of the first animals that visitors to the Galapagos Islands encounter. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galapagos sea lions range from 59 to 98 inches (150 to 250 cm)in length and weigh between 50 to 250 kg 110 to 550 pounds (50 to 250 kg), with the males averaging larger than females.