---
title: "Bottlenose dolphin vs California sea lion — size, weight and s"
description: "Bottlenose dolphin is somewhat greater than California sea lion on weight — about 1.2×. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-california-sea-lion/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Bottlenose dolphin vs California sea lion

**Bottlenose dolphin vs California sea lion: Bottlenose dolphin is larger on weight**

Bottlenose dolphin is somewhat greater than California sea lion on weight — about 1.2×.

A bottlenose dolphin and a California sea lion can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | Bottlenose dolphin | California sea lion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 150–650 kg | 50–400 kg |
| Length | 2–4 m | 1.5–2.5 m |
| Top speed | 35 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 30–60 yr | 15–30 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Bottlenose dolphin is somewhat greater than California sea lion on weight — about 1.2×.
- Bottlenose dolphin is somewhat greater than California sea lion on length — about 1.2×.
- California sea lion is somewhat greater than bottlenose dolphin on top speed — about 1.1×.
- Bottlenose dolphin is 2× California sea lion on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Bottlenose dolphin: 150–650 kg
- California sea lion: 50–400 kg

## Bottlenose dolphin

The dolphin most people picture, and the one most often kept in aquaria.

## California sea lion

An eared seal that can walk on all fours on land; the barking animal at most zoos and piers.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, bottlenose dolphin or California sea lion?

Bottlenose dolphin is somewhat greater than California sea lion on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions compare on length?

Bottlenose dolphin: 2–4 m. California sea lion: 1.5–2.5 m. Bottlenose dolphin is somewhat greater than California sea lion on length — about 1.2×.

### How do bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions compare on top speed?

Bottlenose dolphin: 35 km/h. California sea lion: 40 km/h. California sea lion is somewhat greater than bottlenose dolphin on top speed — about 1.1×.

## Related pages

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- [California sea lion vs tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/california-sea-lion-vs-tiger/)

## Sources

- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (https://www.noaa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]