| 1. |
Sea lions have vocal cords.
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| 2. |
A California sea lion's primary means of communication is vocalization. Sea lions produce sounds both above and below water. |
| 3. |
California sea lions are among the most vocal of all mammals. Vocalizations include barks, growls, and grunts. |
| 4. |
During the breeding season, male California sea lions bark incessantly when establishing territories; once established, the males bark only when maintaining and defending their territories. |
| 5. |
During periods of nonbreeding, submissive males become more vocal than dominant males. |
| 6. |
Females use a specific vocalization during the mother-pup recognition sequence. This occurs when a female returns to the rookery after feeding to locate her pup. The female emits a loud trumpeting vocalization, which elicits a bleating response from her pup. This exchange continues until mother and pup find each other. Mother and pup also recognize each other by smell and sight. |
| 7. |
Females become very aggressive immediately before and after giving birth. Their "threat vocals" progress from a bark to an intense squeal to a more forceful belch and finally to an irregular growl. |
| 8. |
Pups make a bleating mother-pup recognition call and a high-pitched alarm call. They later develop an adult-like bark. |
