The Santa Cruz Wharf: Is that a Sea Lion or Seal?

Seal or sea lion? What do you think? Photo: Lauren Salazar/Mobile Ranger
Seal or sea lion? What do you think? Photo: Lauren Salazar/Mobile Ranger

California’s Santa Cruz Wharf is a common resting place of the oft-noisy sea lion (Zalophus californianus). You may also see harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) but they are much less common on the wharf. The two animals are often confused. I was amazed at how many pictures and videos on the web have sea lions from the Santa Cruz Wharf mislabeled as seals!

Harbor seal on a rock in Monterey Bay. Photo by Dr. Steve Lonhart, courtesy NOAA MBNMS, www.sanctuarysimon.org.
Harbor seal on a rock in Monterey Bay. Photo by Dr. Steve Lonhart, courtesy NOAA MBNMS, www.sanctuarysimon.org.

The confusion is compounded by the name of our local “seal rock”. It is a small island located to the right of the Santa Cruz Lighthouse just off the point. Despite its name, you’ll never see a harbor seal there. It is, however, a regular haul-out for sea lions. In case you are not sure which is which:

A group of sea lions off of the Santa Cruz Wharf. Picture © Ian Hunter.
A group of sea lions off of the Santa Cruz Wharf. Picture © Ian Hunter.

Size Matters

In general their sizes are very different. Full-grown sea lions are much bigger than harbor seals, with a full-grown harbor seal weighing about 300 pounds, compared to a full-grown bull sea lion at over 800 pounds. However, size can be deceptive for the youngsters. Yearling and juvenile sea lions are roughly about the size of a harbor seal.

A group of sea lions sleeping on the dock. Can you tell the males from the females?
A group of sea lions sleeping on the dock. Note the few full grown male bulls.

Sea Lions

  • Males can be up to 8 feet long, while females are usually just under 6 feet. A full-grown bull sea lion can weigh over 800 pounds.
  • They have ear flaps and the front flippers of a sea lion are large and can bend forward, allowing the sea lion to push its upper body into a kind of push-up position, exposing its chest. They can also point their hind flippers forwards to help them move on land.
  • Their snouts are slightly pointed.
  • Females and juveniles are usually a tawny brown but may be light gray or silver after molting. Adult males are typically dark brown but can be can be anywhere from light brown to black.

    • A lone sea lion in the water. Note the ear flap. Picture © Ian Hunter.
    A lone sea lion in the water. Note the ear flap. Picture © Ian Hunter.

    Harbor Seals

  • Have ear holes (no flaps) and tiny front flippers that only allow a hauled-out seal to lay flat like a big sausage.
  • Their snouts are shorter than sea lions and kind of snubby and blunt.
  • Males can be up to 6.5 feet long while females are usually just under 5.5 feet.
  • Seals are usually light or dark gray, with a lot of color variation. Each animal has its own pattern of dark rings or spots.
    • Harbor seals. These are hanging out on the rocks on the beach at Wilder Ranch
    Harbor seals. These are hanging out on the rocks on the beach at Wilder Ranch

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    About The Author

    I really enjoy field trips. I love being in a cool place and having someone tell me about it. The problem is, you can’t always find a professor or park ranger-type to tell you all they know about the local rocks, plants, and history. So I decided to combine my love of things natural with mobile technology.

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    4 Comments

    2. Brandi Yates

      I was just explaining the difference to some one. Then we saw a sea lion beached-yet they were convinced it was a walrus, when I got them to admit it was the wrong environment for one they thought it was an elephant seal.

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