California Sea Lion

Some species of sea lions have “manes” of fur on their heads and necks, which gives these animals their name. California sea lions don’t have manes, but they can make loud calls—their version of a roar! They often hang out in small groups to feed and travel—or in very large groups each year at breeding season—so their voices and ears come in handy to communicate with other sea lions. They also have sensitive whiskers called vibrissae that help them feel motion in their environment, such as from the fish they hunt. They use echolocation to navigate when swimming.

Sea lions stay warm in the cold ocean water with a thick layer of blubber, that also gives them fat reserves for energy to hunt and migrate. They can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour when swimming and can dive nearly 1,000 feet while holding their breath for more than 10 minutes.

Young sea lions are born together in large groups of sea lions called rookeries. They are cared for by their moms for up to a year, and they can live to be more than 30 years old.