Years ago there was also a population off the coast of Japan. Unfortunately it was hunted to extinction. California sea lions usually breed on offshore islands from the Channel Islands near Santa Barbara to Mexico. Unlike other marine mammals, seals and sea lions can live for long periods both in the ocean and on land. They hear relatively well both in air and underwater.
Sea lions have visible external ear flaps, and walk on their flippers while on land.
Seals have small ear holes and they crawl on their bellies on land. Special contracting nose muscles allow California sea lions to seal their noses closed. They can remain submerged for 10 to 15 minutes, but sea lions are mammals so they must surface for air. Even on crowded rookeries, where thousands of sea lions congregate, California sea lion females and pups recognize each other mainly through smell and vocalizations. California sea lion pups are born in June or July.