California Sea Lion

Zalophus californianus

Average (Polygynous)

The **California Sea Lion** (*Zalophus californianus*) is a medium-sized North American pinniped featured in the *Planet Zoo* North America Animal Pack.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population in the Wild:** 387,500

The California Sea Lion is a species of eared seal native to the coastal regions of the western USA and Mexico. This sea lion is usually dark in color with paler coloration on the sides and belly, although some females are pale brown in color. Young pups are different in appearance, possessing a juvenile coat that is tan and fluffy, which they lose for their adult coat when they are between 5-7 months old. Male California sea lions measure 7.4 to 8.25ftm in length and weigh between 551lb and 770. Females are much smaller, measuring between 5.9 to 6.9ft and weighing between 176lb to 220lb. The California sea lion is not endangered

### Social

California sea lions are social animals and are often seen together in the water and on land. On land, they gather in large groups and assist each other in protecting pups

### Reproduction

California sea lions come ashore and gather in large numbers called "rookeries" during the breeding season. Within the rookery, males establish a territory and will intimidate or sometimes fight other males who encroach on their space. The larger the male, the longer he can maintain his territory due to higher fat reserves. This means he can spend a long time on land without returning to the sea to forage. On average, males will spend 27 days on land defending their territory. The larger males can be ashore for up to 45 days.

Females come ashore heavily pregnant from the previous mating season and will give birth soon after arriving. Females have a single pup that nurses frequently for 10 days while it builds up its body weight. After 10 days, young will gather in nurseries while their mothers return to the ocean to forage. Males may assist in defending nurseries from predators. Females will leave for 1-3 days and return to spend a dull day with their pup to feed them. When females come ashore, they and their pup can identify each other through unique calls.

When ready to mate, usually 3-4 weeks after giving birth, females gather in "millings". Several females in each milling are likely to mate with the same male and will disperse as more females in the group mate (millings are usually between 2 to 20 individuals). Females initiate courtship by presenting themselves in submissive postures in front of the male. Copulation may occur on land or in the water and may last several minutes or up to 2 hours. The female ends copulation by turning her head and biting the male's neck.

Although female sea lions may mate very soon after giving birth, the fertilized egg often undergoes delayed implantation, meaning they do not become "pregnant" for up to 3 months after mating. Pregnancy lasts up to 8.5 months. While they are engaging in courtship with males, females will still be supporting their pup. Pups are provided for by the mother until they can shed their coat and can go in the water. Pups begin learning to forage at sea around 7 months old. They are fully weaned by 1 year old when their mother can give birth again.

California sea lions females reach sexual maturity at 3.5 years old. Males reach sexual maturity at 5 years old but may take longer to mate while they build up their body mass to enable them to defend a territory. Males may not mate for the first time until they are 9 years old

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Underwater Box Feeder · Dog Ball · Block of Frozen Fish
Large Ball · Large Snow Ball · Platform Floats · Rubber Duck · Skittle · Snowman Skittle Enrichment · Water Jet · Water Jet Rock · Waterfall and Metal Frame · Bubble Machine · Block of Ice · Submarine Buoy

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Fun Facts

* California sea lions are the fastest species of seal, they can swim at speeds of up to 25 mph.
* California sea lions have been known to dive to depths of 904ft and can remain underwater for 10 minutes.
* California sea lions are used by the US navy in search and retrieval operations to recover military devices.
* Unlike other sea lion species, the California sea lion does not have a pronounced mane.
* As opposed to 'true seals', California sea lions and other eared seals are adapted for movement on land and in the water. The bone structure in their limbs allows them to utilize front and hind flippers for walking.