Creature Feature – California sea lions
California sea lions are renowned for their intelligence, playfulness, and noisy barking. Male coats range from chocolate brown, while females typically exhibit a lighter, golden-brown hue.
As members of the eared seal family (Otariidae), California sea lions inhabit the west coast of North America, from British Columbia to Baja California. They are often spotted sitting on rocky shores, docks, sandy beaches, and even the beams under fishing piers. These highly social animals often form groups numbering in the thousands.
Male sea lions bark loudly like dogs to communicate with other males and females. Females and pups communicate using vocalisations that are unique to the female and pup, enabling mothers to locate their pups in large colonies. After recognising her pup’s call, a mother confirms its identity through smell as a final check.
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Carnivora
Family: Otariidae
Genus: Zalophus
California sea lions Fact File
Size: Males can grow up to 2.4 m long and weigh up to 360 – 390 kg; females reach approximately 1.8 m and weigh 110 kg
Distribution: Found in the North Pacific from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico
Diet: Primarily squid, fish (e.g. anchovies, sardines, rockfish), and octopus
Behaviour: These marine mammals are fast, agile swimmers that can spend several days at sea, diving repeatedly, before hauling out to rest. They often “raft” – floating motionless together and raising flippers to regulate body temperature
IUCN Status: Least Concern
