Definition

1. Noun:
   • California sea lion: A species of sea lion native to the western coast of North America, characterized by its intelligence and trainability, often seen in marine parks and aquariums.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Zalophus californicus barked loudly from its rocky perch.
  • Marine biologists are studying the migration patterns of Zalophus californicus.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific and formal contexts: The term is primarily used in zoological, biological, and formal educational contexts to refer specifically to this species, distinguishing it from other sea lions like the Steller sea lion.
  • The research paper focused on the social behavior of Zalophus californicus.

Variants and Related Words

• California sea lion (n): The common name for .
  • We saw a group of California sea lions sunbathing on the dock.
• Sea lion (n): The general family (Otariidae) to which this species belongs.
  • Sea lions are known for their external ear flaps and ability to walk on land.

Synonyms

• California sea lion: The direct and most common synonym.

Related Phrases

• Trained sea lion: A phrase describing the common use of this species due to its intelligence.
  • The trained sea lion performed a series of complex tricks for the audience.

Noun

1. often trained as a show animal