Why do sea lions bark?

If you're near a sea lion, chances are you'll hear its distinctive bark before you see it. Here, caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo explain why they make these sounds and what they're trying to say. read more

It is also true that Sea Lions know how to bark. In fact they often use this type of communication to interact with each other. The barking sounds are believed to mainly come from the males though. They use them when they are looking for females to be a part of their harem before mating occurs. read more

Sea lions produce sounds both above and below water. California sea lions are among the most vocal of all mammals. Vocalizations include barks, growls, and grunts. 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. read more