Sea Lions?

[colt.45]

I was down In mexico for the first time a couple of months ago on a cruise and had the good fortune to go out to lovers beach on the end of the baja peninsula (great diving) there was a a sea lion colony a few hundres meters south of the beach that I swam out to. I was debating weather or not to swim over to them or to keep my distance. is it safe to interact with large colonies of wild sea lions?

also suprised some divers at 40 feet or so (hey what are you doing way down here)

 

[Amphibious]

not sure about the little Socal variety, but the big buggers up here are best given some room. the first bluff charge you get from one of those beasts and you'll be looking to hose out your wettie........

 

[sd_spearhead]

Large colonies of sea lions have been known to be quite territorial when approached in the water. In my experience, I've noticed that mothers will become overtly aggressive in order to defend their pups when someone is in the water close to the colony (like grizzly bears on land), even though no real threat is being presented to them (or so it seems to us). They will approach people with no apparent fear and then circle and jaw-snap (an agressive behavior). On the other hand, younger sea lions are quite inquisitive when alone and will actually come and even check out scuba divers at close range when no adults are nearby. When in the US, keep in mind that the marine mammal protection act of 1972 forbids feeding, touching, interacting with, and even following any sea lions in US waters.... violators can be left with a hefty fine.