| 1. |
California
sea lions inhabit rocky and sandy beaches of coastal islands and mainland
shorelines. On land, they gather in large groups called colonies.
In water, California sea lions form smaller groups called rafts. |
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| 2. |
Sea
lions are adapted for movement on land as well as in the water. Winglike
front flippers have bone structure similar to that in our arms and
hands. Swimming with these flippers propels the sea lion forward,
while the hind flippers steer. Both sets of flippers enable a sea
lion to walk on land. |
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| 3. |
Male
California sea lions establish breeding territories on the beach from
May to July along the coasts of Southern California and Baja California.
These breeding places, called rookeries, are noisy places! Males bark
incessantly when defending their established territories. |
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| 4. |
Pups
are born with their eyes open and can vocalize. They appear to be
able to swim at birth, although their movements are not well coordinated.
Several days after the pup's birth, the mother leaves the pup in the
crowded rookery as she searches for food in the ocean. When she returns,
the mother emits a loud trumpeting vocalization, which elicits a bleating
response from her pup. This exchange continues until mother and pup
find each other. She makes her final identification by smelling her
own pup. |
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| 5. |
Sea
lions' loud roars help explain why they are named after lions that
live on land. Male sea lions of some species even grow a thick mane
around their neck. |
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