World's laziest sea lion finds clever way to reach the water's edge

6 months ago
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Sea lions dot the coastline on nearly every sandy beach and rocky shore in the Galapagos Islands. These beloved animals amuse and delight locals and tourists alike. Their antics and their personalities remind us so much of our furry companions, the dogs. Sea lions are wild creatures that live in harmony with humans here in the islands. People keep a respectful distance and the sea lions generally do the same. Unless approached too closely, sea lions will ignore humans in most cases. Bull sea lions are formidable animals with large heads and huge teeth. They are powerful and fearless. Surprisingly agile in the water, they are slow and clumsy on land. It is easy to move out of their way if they approach. Sea lions will not expend the energy required to chase human, so getting along with them on the beach is easy. As long as people don't get too close to the females, the males are just as likely to ignore people in the water too.
This large bull has barked a warning to a rival male and he has run up the sandy incline to make his threat known. Wisely, the younger male has run off into the sand dunes. He was lucky that he was at the top of the beach, where running is easier and he puts distance between himself and the dominant bull. Having sent his message to the challenger, the boss of the colony is satisfied and he wants to return to the water. But the long distance to the edge of the surf has left him feeling lazy and unmotivated. Instead of waddling his way back down, the bull simply lines himself up parallel to the water and begins a long, slow roll down the hill.
Ingenious and hilarious, this bull gives the tourists an amusing show as he coughs and sputters, resting in between attempts to make it to the waves. Caked in sand, he resembles a giant, sugar-coated donut twist by the time he gets close. And to top it all off, he stops to smooch with a female that is basking by the ocean's edge. Then he continues on into the shallows where he can move with ease. The rival bull will not return, at least for a while. Bull sea lions are capable of inflicting serious wounds in their battle for dominance of the colony and the beach. He will wisely wait for another day to challenge this boss.

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