Long Island Aquarium’s Sea Lion Coliseum is the place to go to appreciate the grace, playfulness, and intelligence of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus).
Sea lions, which get their name from their loud roars, barks, and honks, put on a fascinating show whenever they are in the water! Just look through the underwater viewing windows of our Sea Lion Coliseum inside the aquarium to marvel at these graceful swimmers!
There’s an even better performance waiting for you outside! Long Island Aquarium’s expert mammal trainers put on a daily Sea Lion Show. It’s your opportunity to watch the Aquarium’s talented sea lions – Java, Bunker, Nila, and Lucy – demonstrate a variety of impressive behaviors!
California Sea Lion
Scientific Name: Zalophus californianus
Weight: 200-880 pounds.
Length: 6-8 feet.
Lifespan: 18-30 years.
Range: Southern Alaska to Central Mexico.
Habitat: sandy and rocky shorelines along the coast of western North America.
Get up close and personal with our Sea Lion Encounter adventure. Click HERE to reserve your spot and learn more.
Do you love Java, Bunker, Lucy and Nila and would like to send them a gift? Check out their Amazon Wish List
Male California Sea Lions are far larger than females, sometimes growing four times as heavy as that of an average female.
Sea lions are not the same as true seals. They are in a different group of mammals, called Eared Seals, so-called for the presence of ear flaps covering their ears.
Sea lions can spend as many as two weeks at sea without visiting land!
Sea lions are highly intelligent. They have learned to follow pods of dolphin and other Cetaceans to find concentrations of fish.
Though large, sea lions are not without their predators. Sharks and orca whales regularly feed on sea lions.