They are pretty cool didn't really know about em til recently. They weigh around 1200 pounds max. Heres some Photos. And some videos if anyone else is as intrigued by them as me. here and here If anyone knows a documentary about em shoot me a link! p.s. the second video kinda sucks
We get them here on occasion. They usually come ashore if injured- or sometimes on a rest stop. The local (Napier) Marineland sealife park used to take them in if injured. Seen them during feeding time or when they've been moved from pen to pen. Not as visually impressive as Elephant seals, but they do have an impressive array of teeth.
We've seen them in Pacific waters Avalon Harbor, Southern Calif http://www.mapquest.com/?version=1.0&hk=10-m5SGV4W0 Morro Bay, Central Calif http://www.mapquest.com/?version=1.0&hk=6-qIUiw4TI Monterey Bay, Northern Calif http://www.mapquest.com/?version=1.0&hk=10-m5SGV4W0 I was given to believe they are quite the predator
Next time I go to cali I'll have to check them out if they are actually there, but I am pretty sure they don't go to such a warm climates. I live in Arizona so I very rarely see any wildlife bigger then a skinny coyote. @divided I'm jealous thats so cool .
The waters off Monterey, CA are as deep as the Grand Canyon so there's lots of marine research there. BTW; that's also where the USS Macon was lost Avalon is on the S.E tip of Santa Catalina Is. and bottom drops 100s of feet just off shore. No one gets into the water without a wetsuit. Morro Bay would be warmer the either of the other two, due to the shallowness of the continental shelf in this location.