California Sea Lion

California Sea Lion Breeding

After the breeding months are over, the male California sea lion will migrate north. For example, the male California sea lion will migrate from Baja, California, to the Channel Islands. The female California sea lion will either remain in their breeding grounds or will migrate south when the breeding months are over. Since the California sea lion is a mammal it produces milk for its young from mammary glands. The California sea lion is also a vertebrate, which simply means the California sea lion has a backbone.

California Sea Lion Breeding Grounds

The Channel Islands are one of the biggest breeding grounds for the California sea lion. The population of the California sea lion was determined to be close to 89,000 after counting 25,000 California sea lion pups.

California Sea Lion Size

The California sea lion is known for its size. They have a wide range of weight from approximately 80 pounds to 2400 pounds and can measure anywhere from 5-11 feet long. The California sea lion has a torpedo shaped body to assist in swimming. Many recognize the California sea lion for its whiskers, fins, and light coating of fur.

California Sea Lion Habbits

 

The California sea lion lives mostly in the water. However, the California sea lion is also capable of living on land for extended periods of time. Although, should the California sea lion live on land it needs to be near rocky shorelines. California sea lions visit sandbars quite frequently as well as piers, tide pools, buoys, sheltered covers, and jetties.

 

When the California sea lion finds itself in cold water it keeps itself warm thanks to its layer of blubber. The California sea lion is also an excellent hunter and has very sharp teeth to help catch prey. When there is danger in the water the California sea lion takes to land and can stay there as long as necessary until the danger passes.

 

The California sea lion is endangered by many things. Some of these include fisherman, oil spills, and garbage in the ocean. Garbage is especially dangerous for the California sea lion because it can make the California sea lion sick, potentially kill it, and even destroy parts of the food chain.

  

California Sea Lion Population

Currently, the population of the California sea lion is considered to be around 237,000 to 244,000. And, while the population of the California sea lion is Mexico appears to be stable it is believed the population of the California sea lion in the United States has actually increased significantly since the early 1980s. Because of this, the California sea lion is not threatened or endangered.