California sea lion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids California sea lion

Male in La Jolla, California

Female in La Jolla, California
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Zalophus
Species:	californianus

California sea lion breeding range in dark blue, total range light blue. In red is the range of the Galapagos sea lion

The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is a type of eared seal native to western North America. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. California sea lions are sexually dimorphic. They eat lots of fish and squid. Their main predators are killer whales and great white sharks.

Images for kids

Lithography by Joseph Smit.
California sea lion skeleton
California sea lion swimming underwater
California sea lion rookery on Santa Barbara island
California sea lions in Santa Cruz, California
California sea lion rookery
California sea lion mother with pup
Zak, a 375 lb (170 kg) California sea lion of the Navy leaps back into the boat after a harbor-patrol training mission.
A California sea lion at Central Park Zoo. It has climbed to the edge of its tank awaiting feeding, showing awareness of its regular feeding time.
Hundreds of California sea lions bask on Pier 39 in San Francisco, where they are welcomed as a tourist attraction.
Shooting California sea lions, ca. 1870s