Photo: New Zealand Sea Lion Behavior Otago NZ

Watching a New Zealand Sea Lion at the beach at Roaring Bay in Otago, NZ perform his behavior tactics, can be quite amusing.

A rare and endangered sea lion is the New Zealand Sea Lion and we were lucky enough to be able to watch this one roll around in the sand at Roaring Bay in Otago, NZ. Flipped on his back with his mouth wide open is a common behavior that the New Zealand Sea Lion or Hookers Sea Lion does.

Sandy beaches is what the New Zealand Sea Lion prefers for ease of hauling themselves out of the water, breeding purposes or simply to give their backs a scratch while they roll around. As this Sea Lion performs this behavior, he is very vocal and can be heard by many other New Zealand Sea Lions in the area.

The breeding grounds for the New Zealand Sea Lions is nearly exclusive to the New Zealand's subantarctic islands where you will find three of the main colonies. The population of the New Zealand Sea Lion is closely watched as they are considered to be an endangered species. While visiting Otago, NZ, consider yourself lucky if you get to watch a New Zealand Sea Lion play along the sandy beach. ... continue below the picture...

This picture is part of the photo album "Animal Pictures" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.

... Never approach these animals, the strength of them is incredible and they can be extremely viscous if they feel threatened.

New Zealand Sea Lion otherwise known as the Hooker's Sealion, Phocarctos hookeri, on the beach at Roaring Bay near Nugget Point Lighthouse, Catlins, Otago, East Coast, South Island, New Zealand.