| Range: |
Pacific Coast of North America |
| Habitat: |
Ocean waters, sandy or rocky coastlines |
| Conservation Status: |
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| Scientific Name: |
Zalophus californianus californianus |
The playful, curious California sea lions are highly social animals. They live in groups or "harems," with an adult bull and 10-15 cows. During the summer-long breeding season, the animals collect by the thousands on isolated coastlines and islands. Females give birth to a single pup a year later. Sea lions spend much of their time in the ocean in search of herring, mackerel and squid. You can easily tell a sea lion from a seal by its external ear flaps, which seals do not have. Did You Know?A sea lion can fully rotate its hind flippers, allowing it to walk on land.
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