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UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



Fig. 189. The California sea lion, Zalophus californianus, is an inveterate circus 

 performer. Under water, the irascible males or females with pwps can he dangerous. 

 Otherwise, this is an intelligent, friendly, and playful animal. 



small external ears. All can stand erect on the large fore-flippers (used for 

 propulsion under water in a winglike manner), and all can rotate the rear limbs 

 forward so as to be able to move fairly rapidly on land. They are found in the 

 North Pacific and in the South Pacific but not in the warm waters in between. 



CALIFORNIA SEA LION: Zalophus califomiamts 



Size: Bulls up to 8 feet in length. Cows up to 6 feet in length. 



Weight: Bulls up to 500 to 620 pounds. Cows up to 300 pounds. 



Distribution: Southern Mexico to northern California. 



Identification: As in other species of the family, the bull is thick-necked, heavy- 

 shouldered, and much larger than the slim cow. The bull also has a high 

 forehead. The color is a yellow brown (darker when wet) to almost black. 



Habits: This is a very playful animal, gregarious and active. In the water, the 

 tendency on the part of the swimmer would be to play with them, but all except 

 the very small ones are liable to get a bit rough. They probably would not attack 

 a swimmer if left unmolested and if not in the presence of the pups (which are 

 cared for and defended by the females, but which may be killed by the bulls). 

 This species does not gather into large harems for breeding. The loud honking 

 bark is familiar and is uttered when feeding, playing, or as a warning. Adults 

 cat about twelve to fifteen pounds of fish and squid a day, although the males in 

 rut take no food at all. 



Similar Species: The valuable fur seal, Callorhinus nrsiuiis, is about the same 



