{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "sea-lion",
  "name": "Sea Lion",
  "scientificName": "Zalophus californianus",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "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.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Carnivora",
    "family": "Otariidae",
    "genus": "Zalophus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 300,
    "lengthM": 2.4,
    "topSpeedKmh": 40,
    "lifespanYears": 28
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Zalophus californianus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (fish and squid)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Coastal waters, beaches, and rocky shores"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "20–30 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "100–390 kg (220–860 lb); males far larger"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in water"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "The Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California.",
    "continents": [
      "North America",
      "Oceans"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Zalophus californianus.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Zalophus%20californianus&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Zalophus californianus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Zalophus_californianus/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Sea Lion.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_sea_lion"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-lion/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-lion/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}