AnimalID

Name

5040

California Sea Lion

LocationName:

Pacific Ocean

Origin:

Original ZT

PurchaseCost:

$700

RequiresResearch:

No

IsClimber:

No

IsJumper:

No

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Description:

California sea lions make their home along the Pacific coast of North America. Their range extends from British Columbia in Canada to the southern tip of Baja California in Mexico. In addition, there is a second population of California sea lions existing in the Galapagos Islands. Sea lions congregate on rocky and sandy beaches of coastal islands and mainland shorelines.

California sea lions are various shades of chocolate brown, with females often lighter in color than males. Males may weigh 1,000 pounds, which is up to three times as much as females. Sea lions have dog-like faces, and nose muscles that contract to seal out water. A thick layer of blubber insulates them against the cold, and their short fur protects their skin from the rocks they live on. Males develop bony crests on their heads at about five years of age. Sea lions have large front and rear flippers that they use to walk on land.

California sea lions are known for their intelligence, playfulness, and noisy barking. Sea lions have loud roars, which help explain their name. Trained sea lions are frequently found in zoos and aquaria. These creatures can remain submerged for up to 15 minutes and can reach swimming speeds of up to 25 mph for short bursts. They frequently dive to depths of 360 feet, with recorded dives of 800 feet. Sea lions have been observed leaping out of the water like porpoises and surfing breaking waves.

Unlike most other marine mammals, sea lions can live for long periods both in the ocean and on land. Sea lions are highly social and like to congregate closely together. In water, they form groups called rafts. On land, they gather in larger groups called colonies. Colonies grow quite large during the breeding season, which lasts from May to July.

During the breeding season, male sea lions establish territories, called rookeries, along the southern coasts of California. Males patrol their territories, barking almost continuously as they do so. Depending on his size and strength, a mature male sea lion may mate with up to 40 females..

Sea lion pups are born with their eyes open and appear to be able to swim at birth. Newborn pups have a black coat, which is replaced at about three weeks with brown fur. Several days after a pup's birth, the mother leaves her offspring in the crowded rookery in order to hunt for food. When she returns, she calls her pup with a loud trumpeting sound, which elicits a bleating response from her pup. They continue to call until they locate each other. The mother seal lion will then sniff her pup to make sure it is the right one.

California sea lions eat such things as squid, octopus, herring, rockfish, and mackerel, depending upon what is available. They will hunt both during the day and at night.

Predators of sea lions include great white sharks and killer whales. Man also contributes to sea lion mortality through ocean pollution, illegal shooting, and net entanglement. Over-exploitation of fish species, such as herring and anchovy, may also have an effect on the sea lion population. Sea lions are known to develop a number of diseases, such as pneumonia, epilepsy, cancer, and a bacterial infection that affects their livers and kidneys.

The California sea lion is a protected species, and its population is growing steadily.

Attractiveness Adult:

Attractiveness Young:

Initial Happiness:

Habitat Preference:

20

60

60

70

Captivity:

Crowd:

CrowdHappiness Change:

ClimbsCliffs:

5

40

-5

Yes

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers)

Which fence is suitable for this animal in terms of strength, if it can be climbed or jumped over?

How big should the exhibit be and what Terrain should be used?

What foliage should be used?

What rocks should be used?

What shelter does the animal need?

What toy does the animal like?

How deep should the exhibit be if using the "Pit Method"?

1 level

 

FenceName

Purchase Cost

Height

Strength

Life

Cost Effective

Low Chain-link Fence

$45

1

200

10

22.2

Low Stick Pole Fence

$55

1

225

11

20.0

Stick Pole Fence

$75

2

225

12

16.0

Stick Pole Window Fence

$75

2

225

12

16.0

Low Post and Rail Fence

$70

1

250

11

15.7

Chain-link Fence

$70

2

200

10

14.3

Post and Rail Fence

$90

2

250

12

13.3

Low Wooden Slat Fence

$85

1

240

11

12.9

Wood Slat Window Fence

$110

2

240

12

10.9

Wooden Slat Fence

$110

2

240

12

10.9

Low Concrete Fence

$125

1

300

12

9.6

Low Iron Bar Fence

$125

1

290

12

9.6

Low Rock Wall Fence

$125

1

280

12

9.6

Low Concrete Chain Fence

$125

1

275

12

9.6

Low Plexiglas Fence

$125

1

270

12

9.6

Rock Wall Fence

$150

2

280

14

9.3

Rock Window Fence

$150

2

280

14

9.3

Concrete Chain Fence

$150

2

275

14

9.3

Plexiglas Fence

$150

2

270

13

8.7

Iron Bar Fence

$180

2

290

14

7.8

Concrete Fence

$200

2

300

15

7.5

Reinforced Concrete Fence

$225

3

460

16

7.1

Reinforced Concrete and Glass Fence

$225

3

420

15

6.7

Concrete and Iron Bar Fence

$240

3

440

15

6.3

Electrified Chain-link Fence

$300

3

480

18

6.0

Electrified Iron Bar Fence

$350

3

400

18

5.1

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Animal Density

Min

Number of Animals/Exhibit

Max

35

2

 

16

Terrain Name

Value

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Salt Water

90

32

63

95

126

158

189

221

252

284

315

Tank can be used in place of water requirement

Gray Stone

10

4

7

11

14

18

21

25

28

32

35

Rocks

3

4

8

13

17

21

25

29

34

38

42

Foliage

3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

11

Elevation

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Exhibit Size

100

35

70

105

140

175

210

245

280

315

350

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ID

Value

TreeName

Foliage Effect

Cost/ Square

Cost Effective

7061

7

Water Lilly

40

$140

28.6

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ID

Value

RockName

Size X

Size Y

Rock

Rock Effect

Purchase Cost

Cost Effective

9206

3

Small Rock

1

1

Yes

12

$55

21.8

9205

3

Medium Rock 

1

1

Yes

12

$75

16.0

9200

7

Large Rock

2

2

Yes

7

$150

4.7

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Shelter ID

Shelter Name

Shelter Value

Shelter Effect

Purchase Cost

Capacity

Requires Research

 

none

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ToyID

ToyName

ToyValue

PurchaseCost

 

None

 

 

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ReproductionChance:

High

SickChance:

5

ReproductionInterval(months):

5

SickChange:

-12

HappyReproduceThreshold:

90

DeathChance:

20

Offspring:

1

TimeDeath(months):

12

BabyToAdult(months):

4

 


SalinityChange:

-10

SalinityHealthChange:

-20

PooWaterImpact:

5

MurkyWaterThreshold:

60

MurkyWaterChange:

-5

MurkyWaterHealthChange:

-5

VeryMurkyWaterThreshold:

20

ExtremelyMurkyWaterThreshold

1

VeryMurkyWaterChange:

-10

ExtremelyMurkyWaterChange

-15

VeryMurkyWaterHealthChange:

-10

ExtremelyMurkyWaterHealthChange:

-15

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Compatible Animals

Prey Animals

none

KeeperFoodType:

Fish

  Pacific Octopus

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?