The California sea lion is one of the most recognizable marine mammals, famous for its intelligence and playful nature. Found along the western coast of North America, these sea lions are expert swimmers, using their strong foreflippers to propel themselves through the water at speeds of up to 25 mph.
California sea lions spend their days hunting fish and squid, often diving to impressive depths. While they thrive in the ocean, they face dangers from marine pollution and entanglement in fishing nets. These animals are also key performers in marine mammal parks due to their ability to learn complex behaviors.