California Sea Lion
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| CALIFORNIA SEA LION Zalophus californianus |
Frequent visitors to the Central Coast,
California sea lions are known for their These
members of the otariid or walking seal family
have a "dog-like" face, external ear flaps and
large flippers that they use to "walk" on land.
California sea lions are known for their These
members of the otariid or walking seal family
have a "dog-like" face, external ear flaps and
large flippers that they use to "walk" on land.
California sea lions are very social animals, and groups often rest closely
ocean's surface in "rafts." Their piercing bark can be heard from quite a
distance. They are sometimes seen porpoising, or jumping out of the
water, presumably to speed up their swimming. Sea lions have also been
seen "surfing" breaking waves. California sea lions are opportunistic
eaters, feeding on squid, octopus, herring, rockfish, mackerel, and small
sharks. In turn, sea lions are preyed upon by Orcas (killer whales) and
great white sharks.
The trained "seals" in zoos and aquariums are usually California sea
lions, but they are not as cute and cuddly as they seem. Like most wildlife,
sea lions are best left alone. Keep your distance, it is against federal law to
molest or harass marine animals in any way.
ocean's surface in "rafts." Their piercing bark can be heard from quite a
distance. They are sometimes seen porpoising, or jumping out of the
water, presumably to speed up their swimming. Sea lions have also been
seen "surfing" breaking waves. California sea lions are opportunistic
eaters, feeding on squid, octopus, herring, rockfish, mackerel, and small
sharks. In turn, sea lions are preyed upon by Orcas (killer whales) and
great white sharks.
The trained "seals" in zoos and aquariums are usually California sea
lions, but they are not as cute and cuddly as they seem. Like most wildlife,
sea lions are best left alone. Keep your distance, it is against federal law to
molest or harass marine animals in any way.
California sea lions, which can reach 1,000 pounds, may bite if they feel
cornered or threatened. But they are more likely to flee than fight if they can
find an escape route. With an estimated sea lion population of 200,000
and growing, encounters with humans are increasingly likely. They are
accustomed to the easy pickings of seafood scraps in fishing areas like
Morro Bay and can become aggressive if they feel that food source is
threatened.
Humans may be exacerbating sea lion agression in another way. Toxic
ocean algae blooms fed by agricultural runoff and other pollution can lead
to poisoning of marine mammals by a chemical called domoic acid, which
is known to cause brain damage. The Marine Mammal Center in Marin
County treated more than 200 California sea lions for domoic acid
poisoning last year.
cornered or threatened. But they are more likely to flee than fight if they can
find an escape route. With an estimated sea lion population of 200,000
and growing, encounters with humans are increasingly likely. They are
accustomed to the easy pickings of seafood scraps in fishing areas like
Morro Bay and can become aggressive if they feel that food source is
threatened.
Humans may be exacerbating sea lion agression in another way. Toxic
ocean algae blooms fed by agricultural runoff and other pollution can lead
to poisoning of marine mammals by a chemical called domoic acid, which
is known to cause brain damage. The Marine Mammal Center in Marin
County treated more than 200 California sea lions for domoic acid
poisoning last year.
Pia, California sea lion patient
at The Marine Mammal Center
at The Marine Mammal Center
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| California Sea Lion |
