Super choice! Sea Lions are super performers that can walk on their flippers!

Sea Lion

Sea Lions Photo from Coast Watch for Kids

What do they look like?

Sea lions' flippers move forward to walk on land. Their ears show.

Unlike seals, sea lions waddle along quickly on land. Sea lions also sit up on rocks, supported by their front flippers, and tuck their back flippers under the body. They use their front flippers like oars as they speed after fish in the sea.

What are their habitats?

They live in rocky coastal areas. West coast of North America from British Columbia south to the tip of Baja California and in the Sea of Cortez.

What are their favorite food?

They feed on fish and cephalopods(such as squid, octopus, herring, rockfish, hake, rat fish).

How big are they?

• Average adult male: length - up to 94.4 inches (236 cm)
• weight - up to 693 pounds (315 kg)

• Average adult female: length - up to 74 inches (185 cm)
• weight - up to 220 pounds (100 kg)

What are some interesting facts?

*Best performers

California sea lions are best-known performers because they respond well to training.

*They make barking sounds.

*When they dive in pursuit of squid, octopus or fish, they can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes. During a dive, the heart of a sea lion slows its beat so that its body doesn't use as much oxygen. Its ears and nose seal shut.

*Difference between seals and sea lions

Seals and sea lions look very much the same. But true seals do not have ear flaps on their heads. Their front flippers are also shorter than sea lions' flippers. This makes it harder for them to get around on land. But true seals can swim better because their bodies are shaped better for the water.