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• California Sea Lion

Scientific Name: Zalophus californianus

California sea lions can often be seen leaping out of the water and body surfing on swells by the shore. They are very vocal and bark often, both in and out of the water.

STATUS:  Formerly hunted, the California sea lion is now protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and is the only species of sea lion to have a growing population. Natural predators include sharks and killer whales.

HABITAT:  The California sea lion’s range extends from the West coast of Mexico all the way to British Columbia.  They live in cool waters and rocky or sandy beaches on offshore islands or the mainland.  These intelligent and sociable animals gather in large colonies on land and in smaller groups, or rafts, in the water.  After the breeding season ends, males will migrate long distances north while females and pups remain behind.

DIET:  Carnivorous sea lions are opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat what is available.  Their diet includes squid, octopuses, crabs, clams, lobsters, and fish such as anchovy, herring, and whiting.  Sea lions eat 5 to 8% of their weight daily, or about 15 to 35 pounds.  They have 34 to 38 cone-shaped teeth designed to clamp onto slippery fish but they swallow their food whole or in large chunks, without chewing.  

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:  These pinnipeds, or “fin-footed,” mammals are adapted to both water and land.  Their torpedo-shaped body allows them to glide swiftly through water while their thick layer of blubber keeps them afloat and warm.  Sea lions have wing-like front flippers, similar in bone structure to human arms and hands, which move up and down in the water to speed them along.  The swift animals can put on bursts of speed of up to about 30 miles per hour, although they normally cruise at about l0 miles per hour.  On land, the animal turns its front flippers outward and rotates its hind flippers underneath its body to use all four flippers for walking.  They have short, thick fur that ranges in color from tan to dark brown.  Adult males weigh about 600 pounds and are about eight feet long, while adult females weigh around 200 pounds and are about six feet from nose to tail.  They live about 20 years in the wild.

Super Senses

Sea lions can see as well on land as under water.  They can also hear well both above and below the ocean surface.  While they can’t smell under water, above water they have a highly developed sense of smell.  Mothers can locate their pups on crowded beaches through sight, smell, and the distinctive calls of their babies.  Pups are born with their eyes open and can immediately swim and vocalize.