# How Long Do Sea Lions Live?

> Sea Lion lifespan is typically 20–30 years. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Least Concern).

- **Species:** Sea Lion (*Zalophus californianus*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Carnivore (fish and squid)
- **Habitat:** Coastal waters, beaches, and rocky shores
- **Lifespan:** 20–30 years
- **Top speed:** Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in water
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-lion/how-long-do-sea-lion-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-lion/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

Sea lions are intelligent marine mammals with external ear flaps and large flippers that let them walk on land. The California sea lion is a fast, social swimmer that barks loudly and lives in coastal colonies. Males can weigh up to about 390 kg (860 lb) and live 20 to 30 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a prognosis for one named animal. This page is a species lifespan range.

## Sea lions versus seals

Sea lions are eared seals: they have small external ear flaps and large, strong front flippers that they can rotate forward to walk and even gallop on land. True seals lack visible ears and move on land by wriggling. Sea lions are also noisier, more social, and swim mainly with their front flippers, while seals power themselves with their hind flippers.

## Help protect the Sea Lion

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-lion/how-long-do-sea-lion-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.