While visiting California I spent some time observing these very cool animals that are known for their intelligence, playfulness and noisy barking.
Males tend to be chocolate brown, while females are often golden brown. At about five years of age, males develop a bony bump on top of their skull called a sagittal crest.
California Sea Lions are very social animals and groups often rest closely packed together at favored haul-out sites on land or float together on the ocean’s surface in “rafts.”
These mammals live along the rocky Pacific Ocean coastlines of western North America. California Sea Lion males bark like dogs to communicate with other males and females.
California Sea Lions mainly emerge from water on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and wharves. They are sleek animals that are faster than any other sea lion or seal and can top out at speeds of 25 miles an hour.
They are sometimes seen “porpoising,” or jumping out of the water, presumably to speed up their swimming. They have also been seen “surfing” breaking waves.
California Sea Lions are opportunistic eaters, feeding on squid, octopus, herring, rockfish, mackerel and small sharks. They are entertaining animals to watch and were a fun part of my visit to the Golden State.