Hello folks who wonder if sea lions making loud noises are just them arguing over the best fish in the ocean,

In the previous post, we explored the Western Gulls that inhabit every corner of the island. These gulls are constantly discussing the best strategies to snatch snacks from unsuspecting beachgoers.

I agree to disagree, but I personally prefer salt and vinegar chips over sour cream & onion chips.

Another inhabitant of these islands is a large creature that can often be seen lounging on rocky and sandy shores to bask in the sun and rest. These marine mammals abandoned life on land about 30 million years ago to protest against factory fish farming conditions by mega corporations. Despite their long absence from land, they still come ashore to check if conditions have improved. Unfortunately, I have to deliver the disappointing news: things haven't changed for the better.

Newborn California Sea lion pups are completely dependent on their mothers for their first several months of life but will stay under the care of the mother for about a year. 

Seen below is one of the pups nursing from the mother's abdominal teats.

I wanted 2% milk not whole since I am watching my weight. I feel judged by society these days.

Since most California sea lion births take place between late May through July, and I visited the island in April, I got to see the sea lion pups that were at the tail end of their maternal care. This particular pup was constantly looking for its mother to come back from foraging, hoping its mom remembered to bring the Lucky Charms cereal that it had asked for.

I hope Mom brings some Pop-Tarts as well.

After a few minutes of anxious waiting, the sea lion pup decided to hit the water. It seemed to be fine swimming around, as California sea lion pups learn to swim at around 2 months of age.

I can't help but wonder if Mom followed the same path as Dad, who vanished after going out to get milk.

What's with the aggression, bro?

You can see why they asked the pup to turn around since it is already crowded with the amount of sea lions in this small patch of landing area.

What high-density housing looks like. You just can't bitch about your neighbors without them overhearing your conversations.

Kids, this is what happens when you snort a Calvin Klein (look it up, I am not your teacher)

Haven't you heard of moisture wicking blubbers?

Another interesting behavior of elephant seals is how they sleep. In the ocean, they sleep underwater at great depths to protect themselves from predators like killer whales and sharks. On land, they exhibit a similar pattern: they hold their breath for about 20 minutes while sleeping, then wake up for a few minutes to replenish their oxygen supply, just as they would when surfacing in the water.

Notice how they close their nostrils before going under the water.

One thing you might have noticed is that when these seals go underwater, they exhale instead of inhaling. This action helps reduce their buoyancy, allowing them to dive deeper. At great depths, the tremendous pressure can collapse their lungs. When they return to the surface, their lungs need to inflate again. To assist with this process, a liquid that looks like snot oozes from their nostrils. This liquid is called pulmonary surfactant, and it helps prevent the walls of their lungs from sticking together when they collapse, making it easier for them to inflate again once they breach the water's surface.

In conclusion, I saw some impressive acrobatics performed by the California sea lions. It makes me think they have a bright future at SeaWorld if they ever want to earn some extra fish on the side. Times are tough for everyone, and who can say no to a side hustle?

Why do something for free when you can get paid for the same.

In the next post, we'll explore some of the island's other inhabitants that breed in numbers comparable to the down payment on a family home in the Bay Area.