Zalophus californianus tend to inhabit places which have undergone human intervention (Riedman, 1990). Other Amount: The Birmingham Zoo - Alabama's Must-See Attraction The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. The sea lions may be preyed upon by orcas and sharks, as well as coyotes, feral dogs and bald eagles hunting for pups while on land. The total gestation period is about 11 months (Riedman, 1990). Predators of the Deep gallery houses some of the ocean’s most efficient predators. Seals, Sea Lions and Walruses: A Review of the Pinnipedia. California sea lions tend to breed on islands or remote beaches. japonicus (extinct), Zalophus californianus ssp. Common dolphins are fast swimmers, but when this pod knew orcas were present, they fled westward at what seemed like warp speed, porpoising into the northwest winds and uneven seas: prey distancing themselves from predators. Help us improve the site by taking our survey. The flexibility of their bodies allows them to make tight, twisting turns as they play or pursue fish, and they can quickly reach speeds of 25-30 mph (40-48 kph) while hunting, avoiding predators or simply playing. During this time mothers left their pups earlier in search of food, which truncated the lactation period, thus reducing the amount of nutrients a pup received and making it more susceptible to death. Zalophus californianus exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism . Rome, Italy: United Nations Environment Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Male sea lions reach 850 lbs (390kg) and 7 ft (2. Zalophus californianus have been known to feed cooperatively with cetaceans, seabirds and harbor porpoises. Marine Mammals of Eastern North Pacific and Artic Waters. Of course humans pose the biggest threat to them both in the … But in the wild, the California sea lion is a sleek animal, faster than any other sea lion or seal. 1: The Walrus, Sea Lions, Fur Seals and Sea Otter, The Pennipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses, Seals, Sea Lions and Walruses: A Review of the Pinnipedia, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, © 2020 Regents of the University of Michigan. 1m) in length, while females can reach 220 lbs (110kg) and up to 6 ft (1. animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Predators - California Sea Lion. The harbor seal, northern fur seal, California sea lion, Steller sea lion and northern elephant seal are the five species of pinnipeds a visitor might see at Point Reyes. All Rights Reserved. Sea lions feed on a number of species of fish and squid, and are preyed on by orcas and white sharks. (Mate, 1978; Mate, 1979). Occasionally California sea lions pose a problem for fishermen by stealing fish from commercial fishermen netting. The Pennipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses. Females are smaller, averaging 1.8 meters in length and 91 kg in weight but can reach lengths of 2 meters and weights of 110kg . 67-97 in S Ridgway, R Harrison, eds. Over the past few years, marine mammal stranding networks and rehabilitation facilities in California have been working in crisis mode. They are also used to patrol areas in search of threats. While Liner and the CA140 pod finished up with their sea lion, a large pod of common dolphins had detected these apex predators nearby. A Steller sea lion bull was recently observed preying on a California sea lion pup. Foods eaten include: cephalopods, anchovies, herring, Pacific whiting, rockfish, hake, salmon, squid and octopuses (Riedman, 1990). 8m) in length. California sea lions are the ones most commonly seen performing at zoos and aquariums. photos © 2007-2015 Robin Lindsey. All the while, more animals strand daily. Predators - California Sea Lion . Males are known to attack if others invade their territory. The populations in each area do not interact with other populations (Scheffer, 1958) and therefore are considered subspecies. Males can also pose threats to the safety of pups. California Sea Lion Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology. Seattle, Washington: Pacific Search Press. Killer whales and large sharks occasionally prey on weaker California sea lions. (Mate, 1978). The normal body temperature of Zalophus californianus is 37.5 degrees Celsius. They are also important as prey for their natural predators (great white sharks, bull sharks, killer whales). Occasionally, they are trapped with a permit for display in zoos, aquariums, and circuses (Mate, 1979). California sea lions are top predators, which means these toxins can build up in their bodies, possibly leading to seizures or death from domoic acid poisoning. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. The age of Z. californianus can be determined by counting the number of rings on cross sections of its teeth (Mate, 1978). Most births occur from mid-May to mid-June (Scheffer, 1958) with the majority of pups born in mid-June. Pp. They have a "dog-like" face, and at around five years of age, males develop a bony bump on top of their skull called a sagittal crest. In 1970, a disease called leptospirosis spread throughout the California sea lion population via urine. California sea lions are also used by the U.S. Navy for retrieval programs, including search and rescue and retrieval of military hardware. Pp. Quick facts. Also during this time food resources declined, which led to inhibited growth and increased mortality. California sea lions are widely used in educational programs throughout the world because of their agility and trainability. that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle). Sea Lions have three main predators to be careful of. 5-8 in FAO Advisory Committee on Marine Resource Research Working Party on Marine Mammals, ed. The origin of the leptospirosis was believed to be Mexico due to the warmer water there, which was conducive to bacteria growth. Pups exhibit many different play behaviors including mock fighting (Mate, 1978). Habitat. This video gives you some fun facts about California Sea Lions. Contributor Galleries A male consistently occupies a territory until factors change and cause him to be displaced. There are many possible reasons for the variation in lactation periods including availability of food resources, the mother's age and health, the sex of the pup and the birth of a new pup. (Mate, 1979,)(Jefferson et al., 1993), and (Riedman, 1990). As external factors change, males replace other males on the territory. Some algae blooms produce toxins that can kill fish, mammals, and birds, and may sicken or even kill humans in extreme cases. Z. californianus sometimes adopt and foster a pup that has been abandoned by its mother (Riedman, 1990). fertilization takes place within the female's body, makes seasonal movements between breeding and wintering grounds, eats mollusks, members of Phylum Mollusca. The numbers are simply staggering - over 10 times the average stranding level for the same 5 month period during 2004-2012. the nearshore aquatic habitats near a coast, or shoreline. Occasionally, a lucky sea lion is observed with bite marks indicating it escaped from one of these top predators. Female Z. californianus exhibit mate choice, by "respond[ing] differently to the attempts of various males"(Riedman, 1990). "Zalophus californianus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. The typical dental formula is 3/2, 1/1, and 5/5. It has been revealed that 133 California sea lions were legally killed under predator control permits by the British Columbia fish farming industry in 1999, mostly in the Vancouver Island area, and it is thought that other sea lions are also being illegally killed. California sea lions are known for their intelligence, playfulness, and noisy barking. This is also a concern for wild sea lions. For example, if the air temperature increases they seek cooler areas, such as water (Riedman, 1990). Handbook of Marine Mammals: vol. defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement. (Riedman, 1990). Males are highly territorial and polygynous. 1: The Walrus, Sea Lions, Fur Seals and Sea Otter. The California sea lion is one of the most vocal mammals. Male California sea lions have been observed to help shield swimming pups from predators. 1 During the pupping and breeding season from May to July, California sea lions are on shore for longer periods of time. Great white, hammerhead and blue sharks, as well as killer whales, occasionally hunt sea lions. Disclaimer: Do California sea lions have predators? While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control. uses smells or other chemicals to communicate. Predators The Garibaldis' main predators are the California sea lion, also known as Zalophus californianus, the brown pelican, also known as the Pelecanus occidentalis, and many other birds. Sea lions are hunted by orcas and large sharks; pups are hunted by coyotes and feral dogs on land. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria. Often one species locates a school of fish and signals the presence of food to the other species. Surprisingly, the remarkable creature remains one of only six known surviving types of sea lion. humans benefit economically by promoting tourism that focuses on the appreciation of natural areas or animals. The sea lion is on the menu for both orcas and white sharks that may enter the bay in search of a meal. 2 Pinniped Species Summaries and Report on Sirenians. Marine Mammals of the World. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. Sea lions often body surf. 1993. Adult males are mostly dark brown with lighter belly and side coloring. Male California sea lions have been known to assemble at the mouths of fresh water rivers where there is a steady supply of fish. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. California Sea Lion Facts Frequent Visitor To Marinas And Docks-Colonies Of Sea Lions Have Been Known To Sink Boats And Small Docks Sea Lions Often Approach Commercial Fishing Vessels, Following Their Prey That Has Been Caught In Fishing Lines And Nets; This Can Lead To Hook And Fishing Line Entanglement Injuries California sea lions tend to feed alone or in small groups unless there is an large quantity of food. London: Academic Press. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico. Because Z. californianus are highly trainable (Riedman, 1990), they are often used as performing animals in zoos, circuses and aquariums (Jefferson et al., 1993). They make barks, growls and grunts. used loosely to describe any group of organisms living together or in close proximity to each other - for example nesting shorebirds that live in large colonies. California Sea Lion. While rare, it has been recorded that California sea lions drink seawater while not breeding (Riedman, 1990). The peak breeding season occurs in early July. Stanford California: Stanford University Press. California sea lions are generally found in waters over continental shelf and slope zones; they frequent coastal areas, including bays, rivers, and harbor mouths. Zalophus californianus provide more lengthy maternal care for female offspring then for male offspring, yet during lactation both males and females have equal access and receive equal resources. Females grow to 220 pounds (110 kg) and up to six feet (1.8 m) in length. Topics The oldest recorded wild Z. californianus lived 17 years (Mate, 1979). Federal and state agencies are cooperating to reduce predation. This material is based upon work supported by the The California sea lion is vulnerable to predation by killer whales (Orcinus orca) as well as by the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) and other large shark species. associates with others of its species; forms social groups. Harbor seals can usually be distinguished from elephant seals by size alone. Subsistence hunting of California sea lions occurred for several 1000 years, however, commercial harvesting during the 1800s and early 1900s in southern California and Mexico reduced the population to about 1500 animals by the 1920s. body of water between the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), Australia, Asia, and the western hemisphere. Thousands of scrawny sea lion pups and yearlings have shown up on shore - alone, weak and emaciated. HUMAN IMPACT Fishery interaction is a constant threat to sea lions and all marine mammals. 1979. Predators. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. The California Sea Lion is rated ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN. Although California sea lions appear clumsy when moving on land, their movement through the water appears almost effortless. Additional support has come from the Marisla Foundation, UM College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Museum of Zoology, and Information and Technology Services. So many sea lion pups have stranded since 2013, that NOAA has declared an. The final entry into this compilation of 6 Marine Apex Predators is the amazing animal known as the California Sea Lion. Th… Under conditions of increased food supply, Z. californianus hunt in larger groups. Groups of sea lions can be very noisy; their constant, piercing barking can be heard from quite a distance. networks reported 3,340 sick or dead pups. Rebecca Price (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Kate Teeter (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Fun Facts for Kids. Although they usually avoid humans, sea lions may bite if provoked. A significant number of California sea lions have been killed as a result of getting tangled in discarded fishing gear. Their sleek bodies, powerful flippers and excellent vision allow this species to hunt a variety of prey such as squid, anchovy, rockfish, whiting and mackerel. Often one species locates a school of fish and signals the presence of food to the other species. Price, R. 2002. The light brown coat is shed after 4 or 5 months and replaced with the adult pelage. Sea Lions really only have two predators that are other animals – Killer Whales and Sharks. Males usually migrate north to British Columbia after the breeding season (Mate, 1978). 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