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Zalophus California Sea Lion Research Paper

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The California Sea Lion is an amazing animal but because of overfishing their population is starting to decline. This is an endangered animal. The California sea lion is a sleek creature that is faster than any other sea lion or seal. Sea Lions are called lions because they “roar” like a lion to communicate. Groups of sea lions are called colonies or rookeries. The California Sea lions scientific name is Zalophus californianus. It lives in western North America,Canada, and the gulf of Mexico. Its habitat is rocky and sandy beaches. Their Diet is made up of over 50 kinds of fish, squid, octopus, hake, anchovy, and herring. Predators of the adult California Sea Lions are orcas. Salmon sharks and sleeper sharks prey on the smaller and more vulnerable pups. Females usually only have one pup but occasionally have twins. Pups way 15-20 pounds. They stay with their mothers for 6-12 years and after that their mothers can still recognise pups in crowded rookeries with smell and vocalisation. There are only around 10,000 left in the wild. …show more content…

Females are tan and males are chocolate brown. Male sea lions can reach uq to 6-8 feet and weigh 440-880 pounds. Females are 5-6 feet and can weigh 110-240 pounds. Their eyes are very large. They have 40-60 whiskers and 34-38 teeth. Their hind limbs have 5 digits. On three of those there are nails. When swimming their hind limbs help them to steer.A Sea lion has a small flattened tail in between its hind limbs. Sea lions have ear flaps. These animals can voluntarily open and close their nostrils. A common behavior of this animal is to scratch its neck with its hind leg like a dog. Sea lions rest in groups of ten or more on the beach. Their average lifespan is 15-25

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