Mammals

Phoca vitulina richardii  (Gray, 1864)
Phylum Chordata, Subphylum Vertebrata, Infraphylum Gnathostomata, Supercl. Tetrapoda, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Phocidae

Eastern Pacific harbor seal. No external ears, hind flippers cannot be rotated under body to aid in walking on land; front flippers used for steering with propulsion from hind flippers. Males to 1.9 m, 170 kg, females to 1.7 m, 142 kg.

Common. Can dive >100 m; feeds on fish, cephalopods, crustaceans. Lifespan 25-30 yr.

Geogr. Range: Japan through Alaska to Baja
Synonyms:
Similar species: Zalophus californianus is larger, has small external ears, & can rotate its hind flipper under the body for walking.

Mirounga angustirostris  (Gill, 1866)
Phylum Chordata, Subphylum Vertebrata, Infraphylum Gnathostomata, Supercl. Tetrapoda, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Phocidae

Northern elephant seal.  Largest species of family, sexually dimorphic.  Males to 4 m, 2000 kg, females to 3 m, 600 kg; mature males w. fleshy inflatable proboscis (photo).

On shore during breeding season (Dec to Mar). Spend other 9 months at sea.  Can dive >800 m; females  remain on surface only ~15% of the time; feed on fish, squid, also rays & sharks. Lifespan 13-19 yr (males < females); reach maturity ~7 yr.

Geogr. Range: Alaska to Baja
Synonyms:
Similar species: Harbor seals, Phoca vitulina, are smaller; males lack proboscis.

Zalophus californianus  (Lesson, 1828)
Phylum Chordata, Subphylum Vertebrata, Infraphylum Gnathostomata, Supercl. Tetrapoda, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Otariidae

California sea lion. Small external ears, long front flippers; hind flippers can be rotated under body for movement on land; males with bump on forehead (2.4 m, 400 kg), females smaller (2 m, 110 kg).

Common. Can dive to >300 m; feeds on fish, cephalopods, crustaceans. Lifespan to 25 yr.

Geogr. Range: British Columbia to Baja
Synonyms:
Similar species: Phoca vitulina has no external ears, its hind flippers extend straight back and cannot rotate under the body.

Enhydra lutris  (Linnaeus, 1758)
Phylum Chordata, Subphylum Vertebrata, Infraphylum Gnathostomata, Supercl. Tetrapoda, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Mustelidae

California sea otter. Round head with powerful jaws; flat blunt tail and webbed paws; front paws with retractable claws; fur has highest hair density of any mammal; 16-27 kg (largest males to 40 kg).

Common in Monterey region. Consumes 15-25% body weight per day in mostly invertebrate prey. Uses rock tools to open shelled prey. Lifespan to 20 yr.

Geogr. Range: Alaska and central California
Synonyms:
Similar species: