CALIFORNIA SEA LION

Sea Lions are one of the most abundant marine mammals found along the Monterey coast. One of the main haul-out sites for Sea Lions is the Coast Guard breakwater in the Monterey Harbor, where there can be over 1,000 sea lions resting on the rocks or in the water. California Sea Lions are a highly intelligent, curious, and playful species. Sea Lions breed to the south, on the Channel Islands, during the summer. At this time, most of the adult males and some juveniles leave Monterey for their rookeries. After mating, the males migrate north again and the females remain in southern California waters. Sea Lion numbers peak off Monterey from fall through spring. Sea Lions are also a regular sight at sea where they at times are seen in groups of more than 100 feeding on schooling fish or squid, either by themselves or with dolphins and whales.