Sea lions do not mate for life. Females often mate with the male who is holding the breeding territory, where they give birth. She also may seek out another male she prefers. She can mate with more than one male in a breeding season. Dominant males that hold breeding territories typically mate with up to 40 females each breeding season. In subsequent seasons, other males may hold the territories. Males can grow up to about 1000 pounds; they reach full size after about 10 years.

Males are sexually mature when they are about four to five years old, females when they are three to four years old. Males however, may not mate until they are 8-10 years old; when they are fully grown, more experienced, and can hold a breeding territory. See similar questions...

California sea lions have always frequented the San Francisco Bay, especially during the winter months when herring spawn in the bay. The Marine Mammal Center’s biologists believe that the California sea lions have chosen to haul out at PIER 39's K dock because there is plenty of food nearby in the bay and ocean, their natural predators (great white sharks and orcas) do not come in the Bay, and there is plenty of space. See similar questions...

Yes and no. From late summer to late spring, 150-300 sea lions haul out here. In June and July, most of the sea lions head south to breeding grounds on the Channel Islands, but a few dozen have remained throughout the summer in recent years. In late July, non-breeding subadult males and females begin to migrate north again. Other breeding males travel north later. Some males migrate as far north as British Columbia, Canada, and Alaska. See similar questions...

Because they are mammals, they get diseases similar to those found in humans, such as pneumonia, cancer, bacterial infections, and viral infections. For example, sea lions get leptospirosis, a bacterial infection similar to the one cats and dogs are vaccinated against. They are often infested by lung, heart and gastrointestinal parasites. Injuries include natural ones, inflicted by other sea lions or their predators. See similar questions...

Some sea lions are permanently branded by researchers, who want to track them throughout their lives. A few branded sea lions can provide a wealth of information about range, behavior and life history. Tags are not as reliable as brands because, they may fall off or their numbers may wear off. Additionally, brands are easier to see than flipper tags. See similar questions...

The Navy has an excellent website on its Marine Mammal Program. Visit http://spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/ for more information. See similar questions...

Yes. Handicrafts are defined as items that are not mass produced and are significantly altered from the raw or tanned skin form. Handicrafts can be sold to Alaska Natives and the general public. However, restrictions exist for the export of handicrafts containing Steller sea lion parts from the United States. For more information click here. See similar questions...

The sea lions have pretty much learned that K dock is theirs and until 1995 rarely hauled out on other docks. Boat owners on other docks have been asked to discourage them from hauling out by using “herding boards” or large garbage cans on wheels to push the sea lions back into the water. In 1995, old dock sections of K dock, which sat lower in the water, were removed. At that time, a few California sea lions began hauling out on J dock. See similar questions...

Yes, it is possible that you or other mammals could catch something from a sea lion if they have a contagious disease and you touch them, their feces or are bitten. However, over the more than 30 years that marine mammals have been in captivity, very few cases have been recorded of humans catching something from marine mammals. Prior to 1995, The Center rescued seven sea lions at PIER 39's K dock. However, it is extremely difficult to rescue a sea lion off these docks. See similar questions...

The average animal stays at The Center one to three months. Approximately 50% of the animals treated for more than 24 hours by The Center are released back to the wild. See similar questions...

Yes. When you see a trained “seal” at the circus, you are most likely seeing a trained sea lion. Sea lions are quick to learn new things, and can move more easily on land than seals can. See similar questions...

More or less. In general, it appears that they do. Unless a mate is killed or severely incapacitated, crows appear to stay with the same mate year after year. It is possible, however, for exceptions to occur. Generally this would happen in the case of a young pair of birds that mated but bred unsuccessfully. They might break the pair bond and try again with someone else. I had one young male return home after an unsuccessful first nesting attempt. See similar questions...

No. Black bear males and females come together only during breeding season. A female may mate with several males during a short estrus period and cubs from the same litter may have different fathers. See similar questions...

Peregrines generally do keep the same mate from year to year. However, if a member of the pair dies, the surviving falcon will accept a replacement mate sometimes as soon as a week after its mate died. Home | News | About Amelia | Timeline | FalCam 1 | FalCam 2 | Photo Album | The Tower | Activities | Falcon Links See similar questions...

Red kites usually take the same mate year after year, but ‘divorces’ aren’t unheard of! The pair perform high circling displays, particularly in the early part of the day. They may pass close together, twisting apart at the last moment, and will sometimes pass food between them. Very occasionally, they may lock talons, but this behaviour is not commonly reported. See similar questions...

Whooping Cranes mate for life, but they will take a new mate after loss of the original. The pair will return to use and defend the same nesting and wintering territory year after year. See similar questions...

There are no U.S. Government restrictions on the taking of Steller sea lions for coastal Alaska Native subsistence as long as such practices do not contribute to the demise of the species. However, any Alaska Native Tribal Government has the ability to develop regulations on when and where hunts may occur. It is important to check with the local tribal government to see if any regulations exist. See similar questions...

The Channel Islands are 370 miles by land from San Francisco, off the coast of Santa Barbara. If a sea lion swam at maximum speed (25 mph), the trip would take it approximately 15 hours. However, sea lions don't swim at maximum speed; they take their time. It probably takes them a few days. See similar questions...

Most dives are only a few minutes long, but California sea lions can stay under water 10 to 15 minutes. See similar questions...