While they may seem like easy friends with their proximity to heavily populated areas, it is important to keep distance from these animals, as disruption may cause issues for them and for anyone who gets too close.

[5] Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos sea lions range from 1.5 to 2.5 m (4.9 to 8.2 ft) in length and weigh between 50 and 400 kg (110 and 880 lb), with the males averaging larger than females.

[1][6][7] Sexual dimorphism plays a small role in the physical characteristics and size of Galápagos sea lions, as males also tend to have a thicker, more robust neck, chest, and shoulders in comparison to their slender abdomen, whereas females have a longer, more slender neck and thick torso.

[8] The male's sagittal crest enlarges when he reaches sexual maturity, forming a small, characteristic bump-like projection on his forehead.

The foreflippers have a short fur extending from the wrist to the middle of the dorsal fin surface, but other than that, the flippers are covered in black, leathery skin.

With their streamlined bodies and flipper-like feet, they easily propel themselves through crashing surf and sharp coastal rocks.

During El Niño events, occurring when the water temperature pattern changes in the Pacific,[14] sardine populations either die or migrate, and sea lions dive deeper to feed on lantern fish.

[14] Successful pack hunting of yellowfin tuna, in which the fish were herded into a rocky inlet and occasionally onto land, was recorded in the BBC series Blue Planet II.

They occupy many different shoreline types, from steep, rocky cliff sides to low-lying sandy beaches.

To avoid overheating during the day, sea lions will take refuge from the sun under vegetation, rocks, and cliffs.

Adult males, bulls, are the head of the colony, growing up to 7 ft (2 m) long and weighing up to 800 pounds (360 kg).

Through repetitive encounters with other territorial bulls, males also store key information about a neighbor's strength as an adversary.

Because the dominant male of the harem cannot feed while defending his colony, he eventually becomes weakened and is overpowered by a well-nourished, fresh bull.

Plausible reasons for this low synchrony could be the absence of strong photoperiodic change throughout the year, which is thought to regulate embryonic diapause, and/or adaptation to an environment with variable productivity and prey availability.

[18][19]The majority of the Galápagos population is protected, as the islands are a part of an Ecuadorian national park surrounded by a marine resources reserve.

Although the Galápagos Islands are a popular tourist destination, strict rules exist to protect all wildlife from disturbance.

During el Niño events, the population tends to decrease as ocean temperatures warm and cold-adapted marine life on which the sea lions depend declines, which lead to die-offs or cessation of reproduction.

[13] The sea lions have learned that being near the fisheries they have a better chance at capturing fish with little to no work, but as a result they are in more danger from boats and net entanglement.

[13] The pesticide DDT, still in targeted use to prevent malaria in tropical countries, accumulates through the food chain and is found at near-toxic concentrations in sea lion pups.

[13] Galapagos Sea lions are known to be susceptible to canine distemper virus, however this disease is not believed to be endemic among the population.