California Sea Lions
at Audubon Zoo
Find Me with the App | Visit Me at the Zoo
Sea Lion Facts
- California sea lions are able to dive to depths of up to 900 feet and can hold their breath for up to 10 minutes.
- Females range up to about 250 lbs. Males can grow upwards of 800 lbs.
- Sea Lions lifespan ranges from 20-30 years.
Sea Lion Range
California sea lions are found along the west coast in the Pacific Ocean ranging from British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico.
______________________________________
Lives at Audubon Zoo
Meet the California Sea Lion
Sea Lion Behavior
California sea lions are extremely social animals and can be found on land in large groups or in the water in groups known as rafts.
Eating Habits
California sea lions are opportunistic feeders and eat many different species of fish and cephalopods. They do not chew their food, instead they swallow it whole but will use their teeth to tear it into smaller chunks if it is too large.
Sea Lion Conservation Efforts
California sea lions are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 which makes it illegal to hunt or harass marine mammals. California sea lions are listed as a species of least concern, however there have been an increasing number of strandings over the last several years.
Biggest threats are entanglements in fishing nets, biotoxins from harmful algae blooms, and since sealions are often found in areas around people, they can be victims of human conflict.
