A coastal sealion found in the northern Pacific Ocean. They are quite intelligent and even adult males can be easily trained, so they a popular as entertainment in zoos. They have also been used by the US Navy for certain military operations. Males grown to weigh 300 kg and to 2.4 meters long. Females are smaller, at 90 kg and up to 2 meters. Males grow a large crest of bone on the top of their heads as they reach maturity. California sea lions feed on a wide variety of seafood, mainly squid and fish. The females have a 12-month gestation period and give birth around June and August. The mothers nurse the pups for up to six months. The pups being to learn to swim and hunt from two months onwards.
Picture taken at Whipsnade Zoo, July 2008.