Lifespan
Up to 30 years in the wild
Announcement:
The Sea Lion and Penguin habitats will be undergoing a major revamp and will be closed from 15 Jul 2024, with works expected to be completed in 2027.
You can still catch our Sea Lions at the Splash Safari presentation!
Quick facts
Diet
A wide variety of seafood mainly squid and fish, & sometimes clams.
Habitat
Coastal waters, sandy or rocky beaches & man-made structures such as piers & buoys.
Range
Along the western coast & islands of North America from southeast Alaska to central Mexico
The Californian sea lion
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Deep-water vision
Adept swimmers, the Californian sea lions have a streamlined body and ear passages and nostrils can be closed underwater. They have large eyes and well-developed vision as they spend a lot of time underwater with reduced light levels. At the surface, where there is brightness and glare, the pupil is contracted to a tiny pinhole, protecting the sensitive retinas.
Vocal and playful pinnipeds
Sea lions often vocalise underwater and are able to locate sound sources easily. Playful and exuberant, they are highly vocal and bark like dogs. Pups produce a bleat-like call. These social animals congregate in large colonies on land and smaller groups in the water, called rafts.
Military marine mammals
Californian sea lions are used in military applications by the U.S. Navy, including detecting naval mines and enemy divers. In the Persian Gulf, the animals are trained to swim behind divers approaching a U.S. naval ship and attach a clamp with a rope to the enemy diver's leg. Navy officials say the sea lions can do this in seconds, before the enemy even realises what has happened.
Together, we protect wildlife
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Providing world-class care
With the right training, individual animals can be conditioned to cooperate. Even for the dreaded visit from the doctor. Pedro our sea lion is more than happy to hold still for an X-ray – if fish rewards await. Training Pedro to participate willingly in vet check-ups does away with the need for sedation or restraint, which helps reduce stress for both animals and staff involved. 📹: Ravan Tan, Assistant Manager (Animal Presentation)
Adopt an Animal
Pedro
California Sea Lion
The star performer in our Splash Safari presentation, Pedro is highly intelligent. He has been conditioned to hold still for routine X-rays, on condition that he is rewarded with his favourite food of ice and fishes, afterwards.
