Discover the 8 Largest Animals in California and Where to Find Them

The state of California is a vast coastal region, home to some of the most diverse topography and wildlife. California offers something for everyone, from sandy beaches and deserts to forests, mountains, and valleys. Its diverse wildlife is especially worth exploring. So, if you plan to visit, here are the eight largest animals in California and where you can find them.

8. Gray Wolves

Gray wolves (Canis lupus) are a recovering endangered species in the state. After being extirpated in the 1920s, gray wolves have returned to California on their own. There are now at least 10 confirmed packs, most of which occur in the northeastern part of the state. These wolves are light grey to black with short, rounded ears and large, blocky muzzles. Adult wolves in California can measure about 6 feet long, weigh 70-130 pounds, and stand about 2.5 feet tall at the shoulder.

7. Mountain Lions

Mountain lions (Felis concolor), also known as cougars and pumas, are the largest native carnivores in California. Adults average around 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 75-175 pounds. They range from 6 to 9 feet from nose to tail. Approximately 4,500 mountain lions live in the wild in California. Mountains, coastal forests, swamps, and even deserts may be home to these big cats. However, denser vegetation for prey species has led to higher mountain lion populations in the western Sierra Nevada and the western Coastal Range.

6. Bighorn Sheep

Desert and peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) primarily inhabit the arid desert of the Mojave and the Peninsular Ranges in Southern California. Sierra Nevada bighorn (O. c. sierrae) are located in the snowy heights of the Sierra Nevada. These stocky, muscular sheep have brown or gray coats with white patches on their rumps, bellies, and muzzles. Both males (rams) and females (ewes) grow horns, but the rams’ horns are significantly larger and more curved than those of the ewes. Sierra Nevada sheep have wider but smaller horns than desert bighorns. They stand up to 3.25 feet tall at the shoulder and reach about 5 feet long. Rams weigh up to 220 pounds, and ewes weigh up to 155 pounds, with Sierra Nevada sheep being heavier. There are estimated to be around 5,400 total bighorn sheep in the state.

5. Mule Deer

California is home to approximately 500,000 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), named for their large, mule-like ears. Mule deer live in a range of habitats throughout the state, extending west to the Pacific Ocean, north to Canada, east to the Great Plains, and south to Baja California and northern Mexico. Adult males weigh up to 300 pounds, stand 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder, and measure 7 feet in length. They have mostly brown-gray coats with visible cream or white-colored rumps and a small white tail with a black tip. Males have forked antlers, which they use to compete for mating rights during the breeding season.

4. Black Bears

Currently, the only bears living in California are black bears (Ursus americanus). Black bears can be various colors, from blonde to black, with cinnamon brown considered the most common color in California. Around 60,000 black bears are estimated to be living in the state. A typical adult female weighs 100-300 pounds, and a male generally weighs 150-400 pounds, with some weighing as much as 500 pounds. They can reach 5-6 feet in length and stand up to 3 feet in height. Black bears inhabit a variety of habitats, such as grasslands, deserts, valley foothills, and areas between urban centers and wilderness. The highest population concentrations are in the North Coast and Cascade regions, followed by the Sierra Nevada.

3. California Sea Lions

California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are eared seals native to the west coast of North America. It is estimated that the California population is around 238,000 sea lions, and it has been increasing. They can be seen in the Channel Islands and are often seen on beaches near Santa Barbara, San Miguel, and Anacapa. Pier 39 in San Francisco is also a popular place to see them. Female California sea lions can reach 6 feet long and weigh up to 240 pounds, while males can grow to 7.5 feet in length and weigh as much as 700 pounds.

2. Tule Elk

Although California might not seem like typical ungulate territory, as one can see, it is actually home to several hoofed animals. Tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) are endemic to the state and live predominantly in eastern California in the Owens Valley. Adult bulls typically weigh 450-700 pounds, although some can reach up to 800 pounds. Adult cows weigh between 375-425 pounds. They grow to an average of 7 feet in length and stand 4-5 feet in height at the shoulder. Currently, there are thought to be around 5,700 tule elk in herds throughout California.

1. Elephant Seals

The Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two elephant seal species. Visitors can view the seals at Piedras Blancas Rookery throughout the year. Elephant seals are also commonly seen at Point Reyes National Seashore, Año Nuevo State Park, and the Channel Islands. In fact, the Channel Islands have the world’s largest colonies of northern elephant seals. Northern elephant seals reach 10 to 13 feet in length and weigh from 1,300 to 4,400 pounds. Mature male seals develop a large, inflatable nose, called a proboscis, that hangs down past their lower lip. The northern elephant seal population in California is estimated to be around 200,000 seals.