California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) is a species of sea lion found along the western coast of North America, from southeast Alaska to central Mexico. It's well-known for its intelligence, playfulness, and loud barking. They are a common sight on buoys, docks, and beaches along the Pacific coast, and they're often observed in groups.
Classification of the California Sea:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Otariidae (the family of eared seals, which includes sea lions and fur seals)
Genus: Zalophus
Species: Zalophus californianus
This classification places the California Sea Lion within the broader group of marine mammals known for their adaptability to both marine and terrestrial environments, their ability to use their front flippers to walk on land, and their external ear flaps, distinguishing them from the true seals of the Phocidae family.
