California Sea Lion: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Seals and Sea Lions · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. In 2011, a sea lion named Ronan bobbed her head in time to music. Only humans and some sound-copying birds were known to do this.
2. California sea lions can reach 274 m deep and stay down up to 9.9 minutes, but most dives are under 3 minutes.
3. Males can grow 2.5 to 2.7 m long and weigh around 350 kg. Females are about 2.1 m and 100 kg.
4. A male usually holds his breeding territory for about 27 days, living off his blubber and warning rivals with barks and bluff lunges.
5. The US Navy trains California sea lions to find naval mines and enemy divers.

The quiz

1. What did Ronan the sea lion do in 2011?

• Painted a picture
• Bobbed her head in time to music (correct)
• Counted to ten
• Opened a jar

Ronan bobbed her head in time to musical rhythms.

2. How deep can a California sea lion dive?

• 27 m
• 2,740 m
• 5 m
• 274 m (correct)

They can plunge to 274 m deep.

3. About how much can a large male weigh?

• Around 350 kg (correct)
• Around 35 kg
• Around 3,500 kg
• Around 3 kg

Males weigh around 350 kg.

4. How long does a male usually keep his breeding territory?

• Roughly 2 days
• Roughly 270 days
• Roughly 27 days (correct)
• Roughly 7 days

A male usually keeps his territory for about 27 days.

5. What does the US Navy use sea lions for?

• Delivering mail to ships
• Detecting naval mines and enemy divers (correct)
• Catching fish for sailors
• Repairing boat engines

The US Navy trains them to find naval mines and enemy divers.

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