California sea lion
noun
: a small brown sea lion (Zalophus californianus) that occurs especially along the Pacific coast of North America from Vancouver Island to Baja California and the Gulf of California and in the Galapagos Islands and that is the seal most often trained to perform in circuses
Examples of California sea lion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That includes 44 birds, 57 California sea lions and 14 dolphins that were actively seizing or dead on arrival.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
Although most of the marine mammals affected by domoic acid toxicity are California sea lions, other animals are also susceptible to its effects, according to the Marine Mammal Center.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Most of the sick and dying are adult female California sea lions.
—Stacie N. Galang, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Hundreds of long-beaked common dolphins were seen along with a California sea lion that was being harassed by birds while trying to enjoy a meal, the post said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025
State of play: These California sea lions were found emaciated or wounded around San Diego County beaches, including one with a shark bite.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
Just a decade ago, the kelp forests were healthy and vibrant, before the pinnipeds became the dominant species in the local marine ecosystem — by my count over 600 California sea lions around Point La Jolla in December.
—Kurt Hoffman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Like all marine mammals, the California sea lion is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act which has helped their population to continue increasing since at least 1975, after protections were put in place under the MMPA.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2024
The center is at maximum capacity right now, with 47 elephant seals, 37 California sea lions and eight harbor seals.
—Laura Randall, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024
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Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
Although most of the marine mammals affected by domoic acid toxicity are California sea lions, other animals are also susceptible to its effects, according to the Marine Mammal Center.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Most of the sick and dying are adult female California sea lions.
—Stacie N. Galang, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Hundreds of long-beaked common dolphins were seen along with a California sea lion that was being harassed by birds while trying to enjoy a meal, the post said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025
State of play: These California sea lions were found emaciated or wounded around San Diego County beaches, including one with a shark bite.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
Just a decade ago, the kelp forests were healthy and vibrant, before the pinnipeds became the dominant species in the local marine ecosystem — by my count over 600 California sea lions around Point La Jolla in December.
—Kurt Hoffman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Like all marine mammals, the California sea lion is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act which has helped their population to continue increasing since at least 1975, after protections were put in place under the MMPA.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2024
The center is at maximum capacity right now, with 47 elephant seals, 37 California sea lions and eight harbor seals.
—Laura Randall, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“California sea lion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20sea%20lion. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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