The California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus formerly, Zalophus californianus californianus) is a medium-sized marine mammal from North America. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2 as well as the respective DS games and Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game.
Description[]
The California Sea Lion is one of many species of otariid (or eared seal), which includes fur seals and sea lions. California Sea Lions possess strong sexual dimorphism, especially regarding their size; males are much larger than females, reaching lengths of up to 2.4m (8ft) and weighing up to 350kg (770lbs). Females are generally 1.8m (6ft) in length and can weight up to a 100kg (220lbs).
Despite its name, the California sea lion has a wide range across the west coast of North America, being found from Southeast Alaska to central Mexico, although much of their breeding range occurs around the Gulf of California. During the breeding season, they gather in large groups. The California sea lion feeds on a wide variety of fish and squid. Some sea lions have been seen co-operating with dolphins and seabirds when hunting large schools of fish.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The California Sea Lion is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and is available in the base game. In Freeform mode, it is not available until September 1st. The California sea lion is an aquatic animal and requires a large amount of saltwater in its exhibit.
In the Marine Mania expansion pack, the California sea lion is updated so that it can be exhibited in hybrid tanks. It is also able to perform in marine shows, as they can in real zoos.
California sea lions in the base game can't reach 100% suitability due to a coding oversight. Additionally, the Water Reed ID is not included in the list of suitable objects, possibly due to a mistyping, or being forgotten during development, with the Water Lily ID accidentally being included twice. This results in the Water Lily counting more to the overall suitability of the exhibit, with a higher value than that of the Water Reed. With the addition of Marine Mania however, the California sea lion is able to reach max suitability if the player uses a tank instead of salt water terrain.
They will enjoy being with Sea Otters, Emperor Penguins, and Mermaids, but exhibit preferences may prevent these animals from being placed happily together. Sea lions will prey on the Giant Pacific Octopus.
The player can also earn The Best Sea Lion Show In The Country award. This will reward the player with the California Sea Lion Statue.
 Animal Facts
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| 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. |
Tricks[]
| Icon | Trick Name | Trick Object Required | Tank Depth Required | Potential Benefit |
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Wave to Crowd | Sea Lion Raft | 4 | +3 |
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Breach | None | 4 | +2 |
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Play with Squeeze Horn | Sea Lion Squeeze Horns | 4 | +3 |
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Play With Beach Ball | Sea Lion Beach Ball | 4 | +3 |
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Surface Spin | None | 4 | +3 |
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The California sea lion is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Challenge Mode, they are unlocked at one and a half stars of zoo fame and cost $3,000 to adopt. It is one of eight animals added to the expansion pack that can perform in Marine Animal Shows. Some of their tricks involve sliding down a slide, balancing a ball, or playing horns.
California Sea Lions prefer the Coastal biome, but may also tolerate the Tundra biome (as well as pelagic to a lesser extent). As in the previous game, the California sea lion can be placed in hybrid exhibits, although it can also be placed in traditional land or tank exhibits - for the latter, it will require a sleeping rock enrichment.
California Sea Lions will only eat fish and shellfish food items in their enclosure. However, they are also considered to be medium-sized predators, meaning they will hunt prey animals that are medium-sized or smaller (ex. Gelada, Orangutan, young Okapi).
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The California sea lion is an intelligent, slender-bodied seal with a gregarious personality, remarkable speed and agility on land, and barklike vocalizations. They are found along North America’s western coast, and some as far as the Galápagos Islands and even the Sea of Japan. In early June, bulls set up breeding territories, or rookeries, on sandy or rocky coasts, and each bull mates with a harem, or group of cows, of 5 to 20 females. Bulls defend their harem and territory by patrolling the area on land and in the water, barking loudly, posturing at trespassers, and sometimes fighting with intruding males. |
Tricks[]
| Icon | Trick Name | Trick Level | Trick Popularity |
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Balance Ball | 1 | 3 Stars |
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Play basketball with Basketball Hoop | 2 | 3 1/2 Stars |
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Jump in Trick Area | 1 | 2 Stars |
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Jump on Trampoline | 2 | 3 Stars |
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Sit on Seat | 1 | 2 1/2 Stars |
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Play Horns | 2 | 3 Stars |
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Slide on Slide | 1 | 3 Stars |
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Swing on Swing | 2 | 3 1/2 Stars |
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Zoo Tycoon 2 DS[]
Trivia[]
- At the time of Zoo Tycoon's release, the California sea lion was thought to be a subspecies of Zalophus californianus along with the Japanese sea lion (formerly Zalophus californianus japonicas) and Galápagos sea lion (formerly Zalophus californianus wollenbecki). Zalophus californianus, did not have a common name on its own at the time and could simply refer to any of the three subspecies, though most commonly the California sea lion specifically.
- California sea lions can use the most amount of show props in Zoo Tycoon 2, with 8 available props at their disposal.
- In the Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania Beta, two of the California sea lion's skin variants (one for each gender) were originally black. In the official release, they were made much lighter.
| Zoo Tycoon DS animals | |
|---|---|
| Standard Animals | African Buffalo • African Elephant • African Lion • African Warthog • American Bighorn Sheep • American Bison • Arctic Wolf • Bengal Tiger • Black Bear • Black Leopard • Black Rhinoceros • California Sea Lion • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Clouded Leopard • Common Wildebeest • Dromedary Camel • Emperor Penguin • Gemsbok • Giant Anteater • Giant Panda • Giraffe • Gray Wolf • Greater Flamingo • Grizzly Bear • Hippopotamus • Ibex • Jaguar • Leopard • Lowland Gorilla • Mandrill • Markhor • Moose • Okapi • Olive Baboon • Ostrich • Plains Zebra • Polar Bear • Red Kangaroo • Saltwater Crocodile • Siberian Tiger • Snow Leopard • Spotted Hyena • Thomson's Gazelle • White Bengal Tiger |
| Unlockable Content | Asian Elephant • Kouprey • Onager • Orangutan • Unicorn |
| Zoo Tycoon 2 DS animals | |
|---|---|
| Standard Animals | African Elephant • Black Panther • Black Rhinoceros • California Sea Lion • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Dolphin • Dromedary Camel • Galapagos Giant Tortoise • Giant Sable Antelope • Gray Wolf • Greater Flamingo • Grizzly Bear • Komodo Dragon • Lion • Masai Giraffe • Moose • Nile Crocodile • Ostrich • Orangutan • Polar Bear • Pygmy Hippopotamus • Red Kangaroo • Spanish Lynx • Wolverine • Zebra |
| Star Animals | American Beaver • Emperor Penguin • Giant Panda • Koala • Mountain Gorilla • Sea Otter |
| Amazing Animals | Saber-toothed Tiger • Triceratops • Unicorn • Yeti |