ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 
15 
BABY SEA LION, ONE WEEK OLD 
Photograph by N. Y. World. 
To be under way after dark was to leave a 
wake of livid glow as the revolving propeller 
stimulated these “jellies” to greater luminosity, 
while to be rowing in the skiff was to leave 
illuminated patches on either side at each dip 
of the oars, which while submerged were com¬ 
pletely visible as glowing blades. Those in¬ 
dividuals that were so small in size and large in 
number caused the latter phenomenon, stimu¬ 
lated by the contact of the oars, while the larger 
and fewer individuals glowed as single oval 
spots of light—truly a beautiful sight. 
Even considering the handicap under which 
the work was carried on, namely, the lack of 
desirable specimens in quantities, it can be con¬ 
sidered as entirely satisfactory. Another season, 
when conditions are more propitious, most ex¬ 
cellent results may with confidence be antici¬ 
pated. _ 
SEA LION BORN AT THE AQUARIUM 
By C. M. Breder, Jr. 
NE of the two female sea lions Zalophus 
calif ornianus always to be seen in one of the 
smaller floor pools gave birth to a pup on 
June 13, 1921, at 5:00 A. M. As it is a well 
known fact that sea lions rarely show external 
evidence of gravidity, it is not surprising that the 
birth was entirely unexpected, and that no signs 
of pregnancy had been observed by the atten¬ 
dants. While no definite record was kept it is 
known that the mother had been separated from 
her mate for nearly a year. He was the large 
and well known individual that has been in the 
aquarium for 13 years and is now on exhibition 
in the large central pool. 
The little pup was a female and started life 
under a handicap as she was born in the water 
or at least fell into it shortly after birth. The 
animals in a state of nature seek high and dry 
place among the rocks to give birth to their 
young, and many days pass before they are 
inclined to approach the water. The attendants 
told of tire mother’s great efforts to rescue her 
offspring from drowning and of her final suc¬ 
cess in dragging it out by the nape of its neck 
onto the resting platform. Provision was made 
at once for the two in a dry tank, and other 
than being a little weak, the youngster appeared 
to be in a rather satisfactory condition. 
Nursing was observed for the first time at 
11:00 A. M., June 15, and it was quite obvious 
that the many visitors drawn by the interesting 
sectacle annoyed the mother to a considerable 
extent. Again during the night she gave milk 
to the pup and continued this twice a day, until 
June 20, when for some unknown reason she 
refused to allow it to nurse. At this time the 
pup measured 2 feet 2 inches from the tip of its 
nose to the tip of its tail, while its girth just 
posterior of the fore flippers was 1 foot 5 inches 
and its weight was 12^4 pounds. Daily it was 
given an airing and sunning on the aquarium 
roof, which it seemed to enjoy thoroughly, often 
rolling over on its back and slowly clapping its 
diminutive flippers together. The little animal 
was quite spirited and often made vicious snaps 
at offending hands. When disturbed or hungry 
it would give vent to a bleating cry very similar 
to that of a lamb. The mother persisted in her 
refusal to feed it, gently nipping it in the loose 
hide on the back whenever it approached her 
for that purpose. 
Attempts were made to feed it cow’s milk 
BABY SEA LION, ONE WEEK OLD 
Photograph by Chas. H. Townsend. 
