California Sea Lion

Linnaean Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Otariidae, Zalophus, Zalophus californianus

Regulator: California Sea Lions are Regulators because as mammals, they are warm-blooded organisms with the ability to regulate and maintain a relatively stable and constant internal environment and temperature (homeostasis), even with the variability of external environments.

Migration: Male California Sea Lions migrate to the northern ends of the species range to feed outside of the breeding season. On the other hand, females search for food near the breeding area.

Generalist: The California Sea Lions are generalists as they can be found all the way down to Rio de Janeiro and on the other end into Peru. They even extend into the Western portion of Mexico. They have also been found living in the Southern region of Isla Tres Marias, telling us that these sea lions are capable of living in many different areas.

Consumer: It is a consumer, as it cannot produce it’s own food but must consume other organisms to get the nutrients and energy its needs.

Carnivore: California Sea Lions are carnivores, as their diet consists entirely of squid, fish, and sometimes clams.

Niche: The California Sea Lion hunts entirely through diving. Being able to hold their breath from 8 minutes to up to 20 minutes, these sea lions might even hunt for 30 hours at a time. They inhabit rocky and sandy beaches of coastal islands, and the shorelines of mainlands. They feed on more than 50 species of fish with majority of their diet consisting of squid and different types of fish. Their predators in the ocean consists of Killer Whales, and Sharks.