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The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most diverse and fascinating animals on the planet. Among them are the sea lions that inhabit almost every beach and rocky shore around the islands. The colonies are complex and interesting to observe. Here, these babies wait in the tide pools and on the beach, enjoying safety from predators such as sharks and orcas. Their mothers give them mil several times each day as they sleep in the sun. The mothers venture out into the ocean at least twice per day to hunt for octopus, fish, squid, and eels. They eat their fill and then return to the beach where their babies are waiting. The babies are constantly hungry and they call out to the ocean in hopes that their mothers will hear them and hurry back. A full grown sea lion male is the alpha in the colony and he wanders among the tide pools, barking a challenge to any other males within hearing range. Baby sea lions are naturally curious and they eagerly approach anyone who gets close. The danger in touching them or getting too close is that the mothers will reject them and they will die a slow death due to starvation and dehydration. The law prohibits coming within 2m of a sea lion or other animal in the Galapagos Islands. The animals here have learned no fear of humans. Mutual respect allows people and wildlife to coexist in a beautiful way.