However, here we reveal eight eating habits of California sea lions that most individuals wouldn't expect:
1. California sea lions get all of their food from the sea!
Rather than obtaining food when roaming the shores, California sea lions choose from over 50 species of fish to feed on, including hake, anchovy, and herring.
2. Sea Lions eat about 5% to 8% of their body weight each day, which for most sea lion is over 15 pounds of food!
3. Sea lions use their sensitive whiskers called vibrissae to explore and locate food.
4. Sea lions do not chew their food at all. They either tear it into chunks or just swallow it whole!
5. Sea lions do not drink water as a source of hydration. Instead they obtain all the water they need from their food consumption!
6. Male sea lions will fast for weeks at a time!
During breeding season, males are required to maintain a territory in which they can attract a mate. If they were to leave their territory and try to get food, it would allow another sea lion to potentially take their territory and their mate.
7. Sea lions feed from the top of the ocean to depths of 80 feet!
8. Sea lions have been found to swallow stones over the span of their lives. During the autopsy of one particularly large sea lion, 60 pounds worth of stones were found in its stomach. Scientists have discovered no evolutionary or practical reasons to describe this behavior.
Sources:
Multiple Authors. California sea lion eating habits. Retrieved from http://www.seaworld.org/animal-
info/info-books/california-sea-lion/diet.htm
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