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Conservation

The IMMS would also like to share with prospective students a guide for pursuing a career in Marine Mammal Science. This guide was developed by the Society for Marine Mammology, and was published as a supplement to the journal Marine Mammal Science (Vol. 10, No. 2, April 1994). You can download it here in PDF format. (Requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Education Conservation Research

Our Animals > Sea Lions
Download Fact Sheet in pdf format

California Sea Lion Zalophus californianus

Fun Facts

  • Males typically grow to be 7-10 feet in length and weigh between 600-800 pounds.
  • Females typically do not weigh more than a few hundred pounds.
  • They use their hind flippers to climb on land so they can bask and rest.
  • They can naturally dive a few hundred feet, and with training can dive over 800ft.
  • Sea lions can swim at speeds of 15-20 miles per hour.
  • Sea lions can hold their breath for up to 10 minutes.
  • Sea Lions are naturally preyed upon by Killer Whales and sharks.
  • They live an average of 15-25 years.
  • Sea Lions have 34-38 teeth used for grasping & tearing
    their food. Their teeth become black with age.

Distribution

California Sea Lions live in the Central and North Pacific coastal habitats of the North and South American continents.

Food

California sea lions eat a variety of fish including hake, opaleye, herring and northern anchovy. They also eat squids and octopus.

Social Structure

Sea Lions are social animals and like to gather together in large groups to rest with much body contact among members of the group. These large groups of sea lions are referred to as rookeries. They are very vocal and produce loud barking noises. Sea lions seldom range for more than 10 miles from shore, although some will travel great distances when the population in their area expands, becomes overcrowded,
and causes competition for food to intensify.

How Is A Sea Lion Different From A Seal?

Sea lions are often confused with the true seals. There are several distinguishing characteristics to separate the two groups. Sea lions have large powerful front flippers. A sea lion's rear flippers can be rotated forward under their body by the presence of well-developed hip bones. A sea lion can use all four flippers to walk or to run on land. A true seal has short, weak front flippers, and rear flippers that cannot rotate under the body, making it impossible for them to walk on land like a sea lion. Despite this, seals can react quickly and can attain speeds on land of up to 20 miles per hour. Sea lions have small, external ear flaps that cover the auricle (ear hole.) Seals have no external ear flap.

Where are California Sea Lions Found?

 



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