Welcome to the Sun Bay! 

We are very happy to see so many visitors sharing a great mood! And now we invite a true star of Kopgalis – the California sea lion! Welcome it with a loud round of applause!

California sea lions are mammals belonging to the group of eared seals. Mostly, they live along the western coast of North America – from Mexico to the State of California in the USA.  

Today, we will become acquainted with and see what these wonderful California sea lions are capable of. So, first of all, I invite you to get acquainted with...

• Toras is a 14-year-old male; he weighs as much as 250 kg. He rarely stays in one place; therefore, don’t be surprised if he plays a prank on someone. Toras is interested in surrounding environment very much: he observes and sees everything what is happening around. It is easy to understand when he is joyful, in a good mood or a little bit irritable. Sometimes he is impatient, but he is learning very quickly though. One thing he is not complaining about is the appetite.    
• Karis is a 17-year-old male; he weighs as much as 290 kg. He is a dominating male, not very active, reluctant to waste his energy. He enjoys routine, stability; that is why he avoids unnecessary “dramas”. The way to the Karis’s heart leads only through his stomach. 
• Basta is a 25-year-old female; she weighs 110 kg. She is curious, brave and enjoys new things. Even though she is attentive during activities, she masters new information slower and does not tolerate being pushed at all. She is a true drama queen: her emotions are abundantly overflowing, like water spilling over the edges of a pool!
• Čita is an 11-years-old female; she weighs 100 kg. She is friendly, enjoys the company of others and does not avoid a contact with a man.  She is also curious, playful, but sometimes likes showing obstinacy and unexpectedly turns her “holiday on” mode.  

Moreover, at the Lithuanian Sea Museum you can meet a Steller sea lion. It is as much as 3 times larger than a male California sea lion. Sea lions are semi-aquatic and semi-land animals. Therefore, we can find them both having rest on a shore and acting as agile divers in the water.   

We often think that a sea lion and a seal are the same animals, but they are not, they differ. Even though they both belong to the group of marine mammals, they can be distinguished by their ears: sea lions have visible ears, and ears of seals are inside, only small flaps can be seen. Also, they differ in the manner how they move on the land. Sea lions can rotate their hind flippers under their body; because of this, they are quite agile to move on the land. Whereas seals wiggle and slide on their bellies.

However, California sea lions are highly intelligent animals: they are able to remember commands, recognize gestures of their trainers or even solve simple tasks. 

Even though California sea lions usually inhabit warm climate territories, their body is covered with fur. Wet fur is dark and sleek; and when it’s dry it becomes lighter in colour and very soft. Nevertheless, the most important protection from cold is a thick layer of fat under the skin. It helps them retain the body warmth, protects from cold water and replenishes energy resources.  

In your opinion, what do sea lions feed on? Yes, on various fish. Even though it seems that food mostly attracts and motivates males.
Males are much larger than females – can weigh as much as up to 300 kilograms. Females are much smaller – they weigh approximately 80–100 kilograms. Even though they are lighter in weight, usually they are more alert, watch the surroundings and try to avoid dangers. Males, whenever they get a chance, like to have a heated argument. California sea lions usually live as long as about 20 years; but, when cared and loved by people, they may live a much longer-lasting honourable life.  

These are very vocal animals. Have you ever heard the voice of a sea lion? What is it like? Their voices resemble barking of a dog, growling or roaring. Like of a real lion... or maybe a dog?

California sea lions are flexible and agile. When in the water, they are fast swimmers.

Sea lions have two fore and two hind flippers. The fore flippers function as an “engine”: they help to swim, quickly gain speed and instantly change the direction of movements. On the land, they are used to lean on when moving. In the water, sea lions can reach the speed as high as 10–15 kilometres per hour.  

Their body is streamline, which empowers them to move in the water very efficiently. The hind flippers are shorter, but they are very important in steering and maintaining balance.

Another interesting fact is that sea lions can stop breathing under water for quite a long time. When diving, they can stay under water as long as up to 10 minutes.

Communication with lions proceeds through gestures, touches, voice tone and facial expressions. It is interesting and important for these animals to know what a man does. 

Sharks and orcas hunting in the open ocean are major predators in nature hunting California sea lions. However, the biggest threat today is posed not by their natural predators, but by waste disposed of in the sea. Plastics thrown into the water, remaining pieces of fishing nets and other waste can be accidentally swallowed or animals can become enmeshed in them. This causes wounds, diseases and even can lead to death.  

Therefore, it is very important to take care of our environment, to reduce plastic usage or stop using it at all. Let’s think about our daily choices we make, let’s live friendly and sustainably!

And now, dear visitors, you may ask the trainer several questions. 

Thank you for visiting us! See you next time!