California sea lions are a species of sea lions living along the west coast of North America.
California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), Budapest Zoo.
The male California sea lion is larger than the female and a strong male can have a harem of females while weaker males have none.
Like other pinnipeds, and unlike penguins and cetaceans, California sea lions collapse their lungs during deep dives to avoid dissolving excess nitrogen into their bloodstream which could lead to decompression sickness. Since seals and sea lions have to hold their breath for a long time they need another supply of oxygen so they store oxygen bound to the myoglobin in their muscles.
No, you should not get a sea lion as a pet.
Further Readings:
California sea lion on Wikipedia.
California Sea Lion.
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) on the NOAA Fisheries website.
Revealed: How sea lions make mega-dives News in Science (ABC Science).
How Diving Mammals Stay Underwater for So Long on National Geographic.
Pinniped on Wikipedia.
California Sea Lion.
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) on the NOAA Fisheries website.
Revealed: How sea lions make mega-dives News in Science (ABC Science).
How Diving Mammals Stay Underwater for So Long on National Geographic.
Pinniped on Wikipedia.
Last updated: February 23, 2015