California Sea Lion: King Of The CoastLine

California sea lion is one of the six species of the sea lion, known for their intelligence and playfulness. They live in the coastal waters and on beaches, buoys, seaside rocks, jetties and docks. Usually make bark-like sound and uses it as a way to communicate with females and the pups.

California sea lions mainly feed on offshores. Their prey includes squid, anchovies, rockfish, sardines, and mackerel. Can sprint to 25 miles per hour avoiding the predators or catching prey.

california sea lion, sea lion, offshore animals

How Do They Look?
Females can reach 6 feet and 220 pounds and the males can grow up to 7.5 feet and can weigh 700 pounds. When it comes to color, adult females are blonde to tan in color while the adult males are dark brown to black. Experienced moms flip upside down to take a breath but keep an eye on their little ones.

The California sea lions are the deep divers, they can collapse their lungs and slow their hearts from 90 beats per minute to just 20. Blood is shunted away from tissue that doesn't need much oxygen so that specialized muscles can grab the extra o2. All of this allows a sea lion to hold its breath for 15 minutes and can safely dive to 900 feet in search of squid. 

Breeding
Males can perform successful mating as early as 2 years of age. But they have to reach 9 years of age in order to reproduce. The breeding usually takes place on the beach and the mating activity starts at the end of June or in early July. Pregnant females give birth one in a year and can start mating after three to four weeks. A newborn pup weighs up to 13 to 20 pounds. The pups learn to recognize the vocalizations and smell from their mothers.

Sea Lion Colonies
California sea lions are highly social animals. A colony can be 1500 strong but there is no doubt who is charge around here. A pretender to the throne must be big and fat as possible for the breeding season. If he can beat up and drive off the current champion, the bull's job has just begun. Endless patrolling for trouble makers and predators eventually takes its toll. Most bulls last just a few weeks before a rival sends him packing.

Like all marine mammals, the sea lions are been protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which shows an increase in population since 1975.

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