Brief SummaryRead full entry DescriptionCalifornia sea lions are
the best-known eared seals. All seals can hear, but earless
seals (in the family Phocidae) have internal ears. The eared
seals (sea lions and fur seals, in the family Otariidae) have
small external ears. They also can pull their rear flippers up
under their bodies and use to them move around on land, which
phocids cannot do. California sea lions spend most of their time
in coastal waters, and eat fish. Adult males migrate northward
for the winter and return to island beaches off the California
and Mexican coastlines for the May—July breeding season. They
loudly defend patches of territory, on land or in the shallows,
fasting for 4—6 weeks while they are on patrol. About a month
after pupping (giving birth), females are ready to mate with the
males who have been waiting impatiently. Ninety percent of the
young are born in June. They are born on land and nurse for a
year or more. Mammal Species of the World