The California sea lion is found all along the west coast of North America, from Canada to Mexico. Most of the time, males and females do not live together. It is only during the breeding season from May to July that they come together in large groups called rookeries. At this time, the males defend a coastal area in order to reproduce with the females there. With a gestation period of 11 months, this is also the time for giving birth, and the baby is called a puppy. At a year old, the young dog becomes independent and emancipates itself to make way for the newborn. Very comfortable in the water, the sea lion can swim at 30km/h, remain apneic for 5 minutes and dive to depths of over 200 metres.