California Sea Lions Experience Surprising Growth and Improved Fighting Abilities
Male California sea lions have increased their body size over the last 50 years, contrary to the expected reduction in size due to population growth. Researchers attribute this to the species' dietary flexibility and abundance of prey along the western coast of the US. The increase in body size is scientifically significant but not too obvious for observers. The study analyzed more than 300 sea lion skulls and found no increase in females' body size, likely due to different evolutionary selection pressures.