Sea Lions
California Sea Lions are carnivores characterized by torpedo shaped bodies, large front and rear flippers, dog-like heads with whiskers, and small ear flaps. Sea Lions are chocolate brown in color but appear to be black when they are wet. They are excellent swimmers, divers, and climbers and can weight up to 900 pounds.
Sea Lions can be readily trained to perform various behaviors on queue. Zuma, Sonoma, and Bonnie Lou, the Sea Lions at Riverbanks Zoo, learn 50 or more different commands. The training technique is called “operant conditioning” which involves the principle of positive reinforcement - rewards of fish, clicker sounds and praise - to motivate the Sea Lions. Zuma has a vast knowledge of behaviors and is one of the best trained animals at the zoo. He was born in Toledo, Ohio in June 1991 and arrived in Riverbanks on April 30, 2001 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
RANGE: West coast of North America, from Mexico to Vancouver, Canada.
HABITAT: Pacific coastline, nearby islands or rocks. Spend much time in water.
LIFE EXPECTANCY:About 18 years in wild, 23 years in captivity.
BEHAVIOR: Marine animals that also spend much time ashore. Excellent swimmers and divers, and also move effectively on land. Good climbers. Come ashore in late spring to give birth and breed. After breeding, males and females migrate separately.
DIET IN WILD: Squid, octopus and various species of fish - primarily herring.
DIET IN ZOO: Fish (Herring, mackerel, capelin) and occasionally squid.