Skip to content

MARINE MAMMALS

seals and sea lions steal the show

MARINE MAMMALS

seals and sea lions steal the show

meet our marine mammals

The Aquarium is home to five non-releasable and rescued marine mammals. We are proud to provide a second chance at life for these individuals who would not be able to survive on their own out in the ocean. At the Aquarium, you’ll find two different species of pinnipeds, the group of flipper-footed marine mammals that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses.

california sea lions

California sea lions are highly social animals that spend much of their time together. They all have unique personalities; some are dominant, and some are timid, but when one gets excited, they’re all likely to join in (and boy, can they bark!). 

These animals are fast, agile, and athletic, and they can demonstrate impressive high-energy behaviors. You can distinguish them from their fellow pinnipeds, seals, by their solid brown coloring, ear flaps, and large flippers that they can rotate under their bodies, allowing them to walk or even run on land. In the water, sea lions move forward by pulling themselves through the water with their front flippers (like our penguins). 

Zalophus californianus 

  • Diet: Fish, squid, octopus 
  • Range: North American West Coast from British Columbia to the Baja Peninsula 
  • Conservation: MMPA Protected, IUCN Least Concern 

meet our california sea lions

Arie

Partner: N/A

Rescued: August 9, 2009 (final rescue), Marine Mammal Center 

Where: California 

Why: Approaching humans for food 

Arie was rescued and released three times before she was deemed non-releasable. 

Copper

Partner: N/A

Born: July 6, 2012, SeaWorld San Antonio

Where:Texas 

Copper is our largest sea lion and loves to interact with people in the windows! 

Isabel

Partner: N/A

Born: June 24, 2014, Marine Mammal Care Center 

Where: California 

Isabel is our smallest sea lion and is very energetic. She’s also Mia’s daughter! 

seals

The Aquarium is home to harbor seals. These seals are known as “earless” because they don’t have ear flaps like their sea lion cousins.  

You may notice that seals move differently than sea lions. On land, seals look like caterpillars, plopping along in a motion known as “gallumping.” This is because they don’t have rotating hip bones, so they’re unable to tuck their flippers underneath them to walk on all fours. In the water, seals swim by moving their rear flippers from side to side like a fish. 

Unlike social sea lions, seals tend to enjoy their independence, even when they’re in groups. 

Phoca vitulina 

  • Diet: Fish, shellfish, crustaceans 
  • Range: Northern Coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia 
  • Conservation: MMPA Protected, IUCN Least Concern

meet our harbor seals

Lumiere 

Partner: N/A

Rescued: April 6, 2017, Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Where: California

Why: Dehydrated and malnourished 

Lumiere exhibited abnormal eating behaviors and had difficulty swallowing fish. Since arriving at the Aquarium, he has learned to eat with ease! 

Stryker 

Partner: N/A

Rescued: April 9, 2017, Marine Mammal Stranding Center 

Where: New Jersey 

Why: Struck by a boat that severed his hind flipper 

Stryker’s injury was so severe that his hind flipper had to be amputated. He was deemed non-releasable because he was not able to swim against strong currents. 

SEAL ENCOUNTER

ready to meet a seal?

Step into the seal exhibit for an up-close look at a feeding and training session.

LEARN MORE