Ocean Life: California Sea Lion - Adaptation

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a wild sea lion is around 20 years, but some captive California sea lions have lived into their thirties, with females typically living longer lives than males. The age of a sea lion can be determined by counting the growth layers in their teeth, similar to counting rings in a tree trunk; however, this can only be done by removal of a tooth, so the exact age of many sea lions is not known.

Habitat

The California sea lion lives in cool waters and inhabits rocky and sandy beaches of coastal islands and mainland shorelines. They are highly adaptable to different surroundings and use a variety of habitats. These intelligent and social animals congregate in large groups on land, colonies, and smaller groups in the water, rafts. When resting on rocks or beaches they may lean back and point their noses skyward or they may be seen lying atop one another. When at sea they raft together, playing and leaping clear of the surface. California sea lions compete with Steller sea lions for both habitat and food in the area where their ranges overlap.

Distribution & Population

Each subspecies has its own range. The California sea lion, Zalophus californianus californianus, population estimate is between 161,066 and 181,355 and is increasing at a rate of about 5% a year. They range from the West coast of Mexico to British Colombia. They breed mainly on offshore islands from southern California's Channel Islands south to Mexico, although a few pups have been born on Año Nuevo and the Farallon Islands in central California. The Galapagos sea lion, Zalophus californianus wollebaeki, population estimate is 75,000 and live exclusively on the Galapagos Islands. The Japanese sea lion, Zalophus californianus japonicus once lived along the Sea of Japan, but is now probably extinct.