282 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



Explanation, Plate 11 

 CALIFORNIA SEA LION 



{Zalophus californianus) 



This sea lion occurs on the sea coast and islands of California from 



San Francisco southward, breeding in many places, particularly on the 



Santa Barbara Islands. The rookery here shown is on Santa Cruz 

 Island. 



Owing to their intelligence and small size this is the species of sea 

 lion that is commonly trained and shown in zoological gardens and 

 elsewhere. The males are darker in cr^'or than the females, and are 

 sometimes called black sea lions. Anc'.ner characteristic of the male of 

 this species is the great development of the bony crest on the top of the 

 skull. 



In early days sea lions were killed by thousands on the California 

 coast for their hides and oil, but they have now become so reduced in 

 numbers that sealing is no longer profitable. Sea lions as well as leopard 

 seals are now protected on the California coast both by the State and 

 Federal Governments. Among sealers the males are called "bulls," the 

 females "cows," and the young "pups." The breeding season is from 

 June to August, only during which time the males are found on the rook- 

 eries ; at other times they go off in bands or singly living their lonely 

 life. 



Group prepared under the direction of John Rowley. 

 Background painted by Worth Ryder. 

 Photo by Gabriel Moulin. 



