Soak up the Sun with Sea Lions
La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico is known for its sunny skies, sandy beaches and unparalleled marine life. Scuba divers and snorkelers from around the globe vacation here -- or purchase real estate in La Paz, Mexico and the surrounding region -- to be near the Sea of Cortez to take advantage of this natural wonderland. In fact, many homeowners at CostaBaja Resort & Marina are scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts and join those who awe and wonder at the neon fish, unique crustaceans and splashing dolphins, but sea lions are what garner the most praise and become the topic of conversation over a delicious seafood diner. From their distinct personalities to their cute little ears, sea lions truly are magnificent creatures.
People can easily confuse the physical appearance of sea lions and seals. While both have smooth bodies, a similar dark gray coloring and large flippers, sea lions have tiny ears on the sides of their heads. As well, they can walk using their four extremities; a seal simply slides on its belly.
Living near La Paz, Mexico means sea lions don't have to scrounge very hard for food. Small fish, squid and cephalopods are abundant in the Sea of Cortez and provide ample nourishment. Eager sea lions will hunt for an astounding 30 hours straight, with each dive lasting approximately 5 minutes. A prosperous hunting session will result in numerous fish, squid and octopus. Sea lions have a tremendous appetite and eat roughly the equivalent of one-seventh of their entire body weight per day.
Diving isn't just for dolphins, as sea lions are able to dive an amazing 1,300 feet into the water and can stay submerged for up to 15 minutes. These amphibious creatures will even sleep in the water! If a sea lion finds itself sleepy in the sea, they will have a quick nap ... although they do prefer to sleep on rocks under the Mexican sun.
Often found in larger colonies, sea lions are very social creatures and are rarely found alone. The males, or bulls, are often found patrolling their patch of rock for intruders. Should a sea lion be provoked, they have very sharp teeth and are able to swim at a surprisingly quick speed in order to protect their colony. However, those of us who have snorkeled with these beautiful creatures find them gentle and have never had any cause for alarm.
Mating generally occurs in June or July -- just 3 short weeks after the cow's pup from the previous year has been born. The gestation period lasts from 10 to 11 months and only yields one pup. In August, the males leave the females and swim to more northern regions. Females, with their pups, tend to stay in warmer, shallower waters. Once males are old enough to mate, they migrate south to choose a partner -- although they are polygamous creatures and often have several partners during mating season. Once a sea lion is fully-grown, they reach a height of anywhere from 1.7 to 2.2 meters and will weigh between 610 and 860 pounds. Sexual maturity is reached around age 5 and their average lifespan is roughly 20 years.
One of the most defining features of a sea lion is their unique, deep barking sound. Sea lions will honk and bark at one another to communicate however, during mating season, the males bark more intensely and loudly as a means of marking their territory. Females tend to have a more high-pitched bark and generally only make noise when they feel danger looming. Juveniles, both male and female, produce a more growl-like sound and only shriek if they are searching for their mothers.
Sea lions are notorious for being rambunctious and playful -- with each other as well as with snorkelers -- especially the pups! Sea lions love to be able to show off for an enthusiastic audience, although direct contact is inadvisable -- keep a respectful distance. When not cooling off in the crisp waters, sea lions are true sun worshippers. Huge gatherings can be found lazing on rocks enjoying a sun-soaked afternoon nap.