Robin Gwen Agarwal, USA
Info
Zalophus californianus (Lesson, 1828)
Zalophus californianus, also known as the Californian sea lion, is found, as the name suggests, on the coast of California.
They are also found on the Galapagos Islands and on the coasts of Japan, where a subspecies of the Californian sea lion described here lives.
As aquatic predators, sea lions belong to the eared seal family.
Compared to harbor seals, which belong to the dog seal family, they are also quite skilled on land.
However, sea lions spend most of their lives in the water.
With their ability to dive to a depth of 100 meters and stay underwater for up to 15 minutes, sea lions are feared hunters for their prey.
They are such fast and agile swimmers that they are able to catch and grab the small fish, salmon or squid, on which they mainly feed, in a “sprint”.
Sea lions are very curious animals, especially when they are young. They are mentally gifted, love to play and show interest in everything that happens around them. One of the world's most famous colonies of Californian sea lions can be found in the middle of San Francisco harbor at Pier 39, which is part of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. It is a former boat landing stage where Californian sea lions have settled on moorings on the pier and use them as resting places.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Zalophus californianus, also known as the Californian sea lion, is found, as the name suggests, on the coast of California.
They are also found on the Galapagos Islands and on the coasts of Japan, where a subspecies of the Californian sea lion described here lives.
As aquatic predators, sea lions belong to the eared seal family.
Compared to harbor seals, which belong to the dog seal family, they are also quite skilled on land.
However, sea lions spend most of their lives in the water.
With their ability to dive to a depth of 100 meters and stay underwater for up to 15 minutes, sea lions are feared hunters for their prey.
They are such fast and agile swimmers that they are able to catch and grab the small fish, salmon or squid, on which they mainly feed, in a “sprint”.
Sea lions are very curious animals, especially when they are young. They are mentally gifted, love to play and show interest in everything that happens around them. One of the world's most famous colonies of Californian sea lions can be found in the middle of San Francisco harbor at Pier 39, which is part of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. It is a former boat landing stage where Californian sea lions have settled on moorings on the pier and use them as resting places.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
