Sea Lions
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| Scientific Name: Zalophus californianus |
| Description: |
California sea lions can be found under the scientific classification of Pinnipedia. Pinnipeds include seals, sea lions and walruses. All pinnipeds are carnivores, feeding on a variety of fishes, small crustaceans and cephalopods like squid. California sea lions usually live 22-25 years in the wild or captivity. Males, called bulls, reach about 9 feet in length and weigh up to 900 pounds. Females, called cows, grow to 5 or 6 feet in length and weigh only up to 350 pounds.
Sea lions return in large numbers to traditional breeding grounds, forming rookeries that may contain thousands of individuals. Females have a gestation period of 8 to 12 months before giving birth to a single calf. |
| Range: |
| Sea lions are found all over the world. California sea lions live off the shores of California and Mexico. |
| Status in the Wild: |
| California sea lions are not endangered. Currently, the only threat to their population is the lingering effect of El Niño on their food supply. |
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