The California Sea Lion is often seen on the shore of California, Oregon and Washington. It is often found in groups called 'rafts'.
These sea lions are known for their noisy barking which can be heard up to a mile away.
The California Sea Lion prefers crustaceans such as crabs and clams but they also eat fish, squid and octopus. To catch these creatures they stay still on the ocean floor waiting for an unsuspecting victim before lunging upwards at great speed. They have even been known to jump several feet out of the water just below a seabird in flight!
California Sea Lions often sunbathe on rocks or beaches after they have eaten a big meal. This helps them digest their food more quickly before they dive
180,000
Population
Least Concern (LC)
IUCN Classification
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Awful
Fact 1
California sea lions aren’t picky about the type of seafood they consume.
Fact 2
When diving deep, they slow their heart rates to remain underwater for nearly ten minutes before surfacing to breathe.
Fact 3
These creatures are highly social with large numbers gathering at sites where they rest together.