This sea lion can be found on the coast of California, the islands of Galapagos and coastal Japan. There habitat is in coastal waters and rocky coastlines. Being an essentially coastal animal, there are found no more than 16 km out to sea. They also have a wide range of vocal sounds. These are cautious animals, they will jump in the water at anything strange or if they sense danger.
Sea lions walk slow, but they swim very fast and agile.
Males become territorial between May and June, guarding harems of about 15 females each. This sea lion can be easily trained to Balance balls by rewarding it with fish, they also like to eat molluscs. Once a trick is learned, it can remember the even months after not doing it. A sea lion can perform for 8-12 years.