CALIFORNIA SEA-LION 



The California sea-lion is the well-known "trained seal" of the circus 

 and vaudeville. With rare exceptions, it is the only seal or sea-lion which 

 has been trained to perform. Fishermen along the Pacific Coasts of 

 Mexico and California are familiar with it because it sometimes tears their 

 nets. It frequents fishing areas where it may frighten the fish that gather 

 around a live-bait boat. 



Description 



An adult male measured 7 feet long and weighed 524 pounds. Pub- 

 lished estimates of weights of 800 to 1, 000 pounds are probably excessive, 

 A maximum weight of 600 pounds is perhaps more realistic. An adult female 

 weighed 183 pounds and measured about 5 feet 8 inches long. The probable 

 maximum size is 200 pounds and 6 feet long. Additional weights and meas- 

 urements of adults and newly born young are needed. 



The adult male is easily recognized by the conspicuous knob or crest 

 on the top of the head which lightens in color with age. The adult female 

 might be confused with the northern fur seal. However, the sea-lion has 

 a broader, heavier muzzle. Whereas the sea-lion is usually seen within 

 2 to 10 miles of shore, the fur seal is most often seen 10 miles or more 

 from land during the winter months when its range overlaps that of the 

 California sea-lion. 



The California sea-lion appears almost black when wet. When dry, 

 its color ranges through shades of brown from light buff to deep sepia^ 

 The newly born pup is said to be golden brown varying slightly in shade. 



Its voice consists of a short honking bark "ar-ar-ar-ar." 



Range 



The California sea-lion is most numerous along the coasts of southern 

 California, Lower California, and in the Gulf of Lower California, Mexico. 

 During the winter months it is regularly found northward to central Oregon 



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