California sea lion fun facts
Here are some interesting facts about these curious marine mammals2:
- Sea lions can walk on land and swim in water as they have wing-like front flippers with a bone structure similar to that in human arms and hands.
- Their loud roars that mimic those of lions are where they get their name from.
- Most sea lion pups are born in late June. They are well developed at birth with eyes that are open, and they can vocalize, and even swim a bit.
- A few days after the pup's birth, the mother leaves the pup in the crowded rookery as she looks for food in the ocean. She produces a loud trumpeting vocalization, with the pup replying with a bleat. They communicate until the mother and pup find each other and the smell of her pup confirms she found the one.
- They form dense aggregations of a thousand or more animals on land and also may travel, socialize, or rest at the surface in groups of 10 or more near haul-out locations.
