# Sea Lion (*Zalophus californianus*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** The Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-lion/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Otariidae
- **Genus:** Zalophus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Zalophus californianus |
| Diet | Carnivore (fish and squid) |
| Habitat | Coastal waters, beaches, and rocky shores |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years |
| Weight | 100–390 kg (220–860 lb); males far larger |
| Top speed | Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in water |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## 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.

## Fast, clever swimmers

California sea lions are built for speed and agility, reaching about 40 km/h (25 mph) in short bursts and twisting effortlessly to chase fish and squid. They are among the most intelligent marine mammals, which is why they are commonly trained for public aquarium shows and have been taught to perform tasks for the United States Navy.

## Loud, crowded colonies

Sea lions are highly social and gather in noisy colonies that can number in the thousands. During the breeding season, large males defend stretches of beach and a group of females with near-constant barking. Their distinctive honking calls are the classic sound of working harbors and piers along the Pacific coast.

## Habitat and range

The California sea lion lives along the Pacific coast of North America, from British Columbia south to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. It hauls out to rest and breed on beaches, rocky islands, jetties, and marina docks, never straying far from rich coastal feeding grounds.

## Conservation

The California sea lion is listed as Least Concern, and its population has grown strongly since hunting was banned. Ongoing threats include entanglement in fishing gear, harmful algal blooms that poison their prey, and conflict with fisheries. Warm-water events can also reduce fish stocks and lead to mass strandings of pups.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between a seal and a sea lion?

Sea lions have visible ear flaps and large front flippers they use to walk on land, and they are loud and social. True seals have no external ears, move by wriggling, and are generally quieter.

### What do sea lions eat?

Sea lions are carnivores that feed mainly on fish such as anchovies, sardines, and hake, along with squid. They can dive deep and hunt in coordinated groups.

### How fast can a sea lion swim?

California sea lions can reach about 40 km/h (25 mph) in short bursts, using their powerful front flippers, which makes them agile hunters of fast-moving fish.

### Are sea lions intelligent?

Very. Sea lions learn quickly, have good memories, and can be trained to perform complex tasks, which is why they feature in aquarium shows and have been used by the U.S. Navy.

### How long do sea lions live?

California sea lions typically live 20 to 30 years in the wild, with females often outliving the larger, harder-fighting males.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Zalophus californianus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Zalophus%20californianus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Zalophus californianus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Zalophus_californianus/)
- [Wikipedia — Sea Lion.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_sea_lion)

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