California sea lions are found from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to the southern tip of Baja California in Mexico. There is a distinct population of California sea lions at the Galapagos Islands. They are sometimes seen porpoising, or jumping out of the water, presumably to speed up their swimming. Most pups are born in June or July and weigh 13-20 lbs. They nurse for at least 5-6 months and sometimes over a year.
Mothers recognize pups on crowded rookeries through smell, sight, and vocalizations.
Pups also learn to recognize the vocalizations of their mothers. Breeding takes place a few weeks after birth. Males patrol territories and bark almost continuously during the breeding season. California sea lions are opportunistic feeders and eat such things as squid, octopus, herring, rockfish and mackerel. In turn, sea lions are preyed upon by killer whales and great white sharks.