California Sea Lion

Both males and females reach maturity at about 4 or 5 years of age. Males establish breeding territories that may include up to 14 females. They don’t begin holding territories until they are around 9 to 12 years old. California sea lions are very social but during breeding season males defend their territories both on land and in shallow waters near the shore. Females may also fight other females to protect their pups.

Pupping and breeding takes place from May through July. Their primary breeding range is from the Channel Islands in southern California to central Mexico. Females produce one pup each year and are pregnant for about 11 months.

Following the breeding season, large numbers of male California sea lions migrate north from California to Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. They remain there during the winter until it’s time to breed again, then they travel back to California.

Females and pups stay near the breeding colonies until the pups are weaned. Females remain on shore with their newborn pups for about 7 days and then they leave for the first of many foraging trips. Females continue a pattern of going to sea for several days and nursing ashore for several days until they wean their pups. Pups may nurse for almost a year.

California sea lions live up to 20 to 30 years in the wild. Those under human care often surpass this average lifespan.