![]() Winter haul-outs are often in more exposed locations. Non-breeding groups are gregarious and haul out together in groups called colonies. Males use raucous vocalization (loud barking, grunts and growls) and posturing movement as they battle for dominance and territory. They leave their mother after a year.īEHAVIOR After the breeding season, female California sea lions normally stay in southern waters while the adult males and juveniles generally migrate north to feeding sites for the winter. Pups learn to swim and hunt at about two months and play together onshore. Pups nurse for six months to a year even though they can digest food at three months of age. Pups and moms learn to recognize each other’s distinct vocalizations and smell, playing a vital part in the survival of the pup. Mothers may give birth to a single pup on land or in water. PUPPING The females have gestation period of 11 months and give birth from June to August. Mating and birthing takes place in remote rookery locations, safe from humans and predators. Males assemble a number of females and young into a group called a harem and protect them throughout the breeding season. Postural displays, fighting (often violent) and barking and growling is common during the mating season as males (known as bulls) compete for females (cows). Males and females reach sexual maturity between 4-5 years of age.Įstablishing a territory is important to a male’s success in breeding and mating begins approximately three weeks after the females give birth. MATING AND BREEDING California sea lions breed around May to June. Even though they have fearsome canine teeth (used primarily to grab fish), sea lions typically swallow their food whole. It is common to see California sea lions inside Puget Sound and Seattle's Elliott Bay during fall months when salmon have returned to spawn.ĭIET AND HUNTING California sea lions feed on more than 50 species of seafood, mainly squid and fish. Once the breeding season is over, they will often gather at marinas and wharves. ![]() These highly intelligent and social mammals breed in large colonies on offshore island rookeries such as California’s Channel Islands. RANGE AND HABITAT The California sea lion resides along the Pacific Coast mainly in the waters of central Mexico and California where they breed, but in non-breeding season can be found as far north as Vancouver Island, Canada. but use their nails on the back flippers for grooming their coats. They have no claws on their fore flippers. Able to rotate their hind flippers for locomotion on land, sea lions are quite are nimble and can gallop onshore. ![]() LOCOMOTION Graceful and acrobatic in the water, sea lions propel themselves through the water with large, wing-like fore flippers, usimg their hind flippers and tail for steering. Sea lions have sleek torpedo-like bodies and are powerful swimmers. Sea lions molt (shed their hair) every year after breeding season. Adult females are a lighter golden color. ![]() As adult males age, their heads become light tan. Males are a chocolate brown, females are tan to golden brown.The coat darkens to almost black when wet. Unlike harbor seals and other true seals, California sea lions have external ear flaps and long, dog-like muzzles. Females do not exhibit this, having lower and smaller foreheads. Males can reach a size up to 8 feet long and 700-1,000 lbs.įemales are smaller, reaching 6.5 ft long and up to 240 lbs.Īdult males grow a large bump of bone on the top of their heads, known as a sagittal crest, as they reach sexual maturity.
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