Check out this answer from Consensus:
While sea lion bites on humans are relatively rare, the likelihood of such incidents is increasing due to more frequent interactions in shared coastal environments. When bites do occur, they can be severe and require significant medical attention.
Sea lions, particularly the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), are marine mammals that often share coastal environments with humans. As human and sea lion populations grow, interactions between the two are becoming more frequent, raising concerns about the likelihood and severity of sea lion bites on humans.
Key Insights
- Increased Interactions with Recreational Users:
- As human and sea lion populations grow, interactions during recreational activities are becoming more frequent, leading to an increased risk of bites2.
- Severity of Bites:
- Recent cases in San Francisco highlight that sea lion bites can be severe, requiring medical treatment and even surgery. Some bites have been potentially life-threatening, necessitating emergency interventions such as field tourniquets2.