-+Cali+Sealion

The California sea lion is a coastal sea lion of the northern Pacific Ocean. Wikipedia states that "Their numbers are abundant (188,000 U.S. stock 1995 est.), and the population continues to expand at a rate of approximately 5.0% annually." They can adapt to manmade environments, such as zoos. California sea lions are commonly used for entertainment in zoos, circuses and marine parks. Also, adult males are easily trained. These animals are also often used by the United States navy for certain military options under water. Male California sea lions grow to 660 lbs and 8 ft wide, while females are smaller at 210 lbs at 6.5 ft. They have pointed muzzles making them look dog-like. Males grow a large amount of bone on the top of their heads as they reach sexual maturity. Most females are lighter in color than the males and pups are born dark, but they lighten when they are several months old. When it is dry, the skin is a purplish color. A sea lions average lifespan is 17 years in the wild, and longer in captivity because they get hand fed and don’t have to learn survival skills like they do in the wild. It is found around the waters of California. It also lives around Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia and Mexico. They breed from the Channel Islands off Southern California to Mexico. Major breeding sites are San Miguel and the San Nicolas islands. Non-breeding populations live as far north as British Columbia. California sea lions prefer to breed on sandy beaches. Outside of the breeding season they will often gather at marinas and may even be seen on navigational buoys. California sea lions feed on a wide variety of seafood, mainly squid and fish; often even clams. They feed mostly around the edge of the continental shelf.

By Nichole