Galapagos sea lions inhabit the Galapagos Islands off northwestern South America, and a small rookery off the coast of Equador. The Japanese sea lion used to inhabit the coastal waters of Japan but is now thought to be extinct. Natural History California sea lions are regularily seen in aqauria and zoos around the world and are therefore probably the most well known of the sea lions. Adult males average 240 cm and 275 kg and the females are significantly smaller at 180 cm and 91 kg. The coat is dark greyish brown to black and the females are lighter.
Adult males have a noticeable crest on their forehead.
Both males and females reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years. Adult male California sea lions defend breeding territories along the edge of the water from May to July. Males on the Galapagos Islands defend territories from May to January. Because of the difficulty in defending territories, males are not necessarily successful for extended periods. Instead, females are mated as they move in and out of the water by whichever male is defending that territory at the time.