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South American sea lions
The lions sleep today
Though it sounds more like seafarer jargon, "hauling out" is the term biologists use for pinnipeds' practice of posting up outside the water. These female South American sea lions are probably just taking a (quite literal) breather between underwater foraging sessions, soaking up some sun in the process. Sometimes haul-outs are an extended affair though, as it's also where the sea lions form social groups, mate and give birth. Pinnipeds here in Peru tend to bask on sea boulders like these on the Ballestas Islands, but in other parts of the world, hauled-out sea lions, seals and walruses crowd beaches and ice floes as well.
Hauling out" is the term biologists use for pinnipeds' practice of posting up outside the water."
© Sylvia_Adams / iStock / Getty Images Plus 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :