California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
Unlike 'true seals,' sea lions have external ear flaps and can rotate their hind flippers forward to walk, run, and climb on land.
- Scientific name
- Zalophus californianus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Carnivora › Otariidae › Zalophus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- aquatic
- Habitat
- Coastal waters, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and man-made structures such as piers and jetties.
- Diet
- Opportunistic carnivores primarily consuming squid, octopus, and schooling fish like sardines, anchovies, and salmon.
- Range
- Western North American Coast, California, Baja California, Gulf of California
- Size
- Length: 5.5-8 feet; Weight: 200-800 lbs (males are significantly larger)
- Lifespan
- 15-25 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Entanglement in fishing gear, ocean plastic, climate-induced prey shifts, and domoic acid poisoning from harmful algal blooms.
- Safe to approach?
- Defensive and potentially dangerous; they may bite if approached, cornered, or protecting pups. Maintain a safe distance of at least 50 yards (150 feet). If bitten or scratched, seek immediate medical attention as their mouths harbor bacteria that cause serious infections like 'seal finger.'
The California sea lion ( Zalophus californianus ) is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of six species of sea lion. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. Sea lions are sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and have a thicker neck and protruding crest. They mainly haul-out on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and...
Photo: Liam Steele, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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