California Sea Lion

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

 

Facts about this animal

The California Sea Lion is slender-bodied (although males are rather robust around the chest and shoulders), has a long, straight and narrow snout and the flippers are long and broad.

 

Males weigh up to 340 kg and reach a body length of 2.4 m, their fur colour ranges from dark brown to black, often with a light tan on the face. Females are generally no larger than 100 kg and 2 m long, their fur coloured in tan.The most prominent  feature of a male is the high forehead, pronounced by the sagittal crest. Males lack the conspicuous mane around the neck and chest which is characteristic for the males of other seal speciesThe whiskers help the seal's sense of touch and are used to detect food in the water.

 

California sea lions are highly social animals living in large, but unstable groups during the non-breeding season, females remain staintionary while males and juveniles migrate north for the winter.

 

During the summer-long breeding season, the animals gather by the thousands on isolated coastlines and islands. Males try to claim and defend a territory agianst other males an even non-conspecifics. Their harem can consist of up to 15 females. During that time, males compete with ritualized physical display (aggressive posturing, vocalizations and sometimes actual physical combat).

 

Gestation lasts 9 months. Pups are usually weaned after 6 months (in rare cases they are nursed up to one year).

 

California Sea Lions feed on a wide variety of seafood including fish, shellfish and squid. They are infamous for approaching fishing boats and siezing fish from lines or nets.

 

 

 

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 76 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

 

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