California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
A noisy, playful sea lion of the Pacific coast that swims up to 30 miles per hour with its front flippers.
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About the California Sea Lion
Male California sea lions are about 8 feet long and weigh about 600 pounds, sometimes up to 1,000 pounds. Females are about 6 feet long and 220 pounds. They live along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to Baja California and in the Gulf of California. They eat herring, rockfish, anchovies, squid and octopus and can dive 1,000 feet deep.[1]
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Zalophus californianus[1]
- Size
- Males about 8 feet long; females about 6 feet.[1]
- Weight
- Males about 600 pounds, up to 1,000; females about 220 pounds.[1]
- Lifespan
- 15 to 20 years in the wild; 25 to 30 in human care.[1]
- Diet
- Carnivore. Fish such as herring, rockfish and anchovies, plus squid, octopus and krill.[1]
- Habitat
- Coastal ocean waters and sandy beaches.[1]
- Where it lives
- Pacific coast from British Columbia to Baja California, and the Gulf of California.[1]
- Group life
- Social; gathers in large groups, especially to breed.[1]
- Babies
- One pup.[1]
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2025).[2]
Fun facts
Vocabulary
- pinniped
- A sea mammal with flippers, such as a seal, sea lion or walrus.
- flipper
- A flat limb used for swimming.
- rookery
- A place where animals such as sea lions gather to breed.
- carnivore
- An animal that eats mostly meat.
- least concern
- A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.
See it in person
- Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · American TrailSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗
These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.
Sources
- [1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “California sea lion.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/california-sea-lion (accessed 2026-10-08)
- [2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lion).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41666/294651011 (accessed 2026-10-08)
Facts last checked 2026-10-08.
