It is a polygynous species. Males defend a territory with harems containing 2 to 13 females, for an average of 5-6 females per male. Breeding season is from the second week of November until the first week of February, with a peak in births in mid-December, and a peak in mating a few days later than that. After a twelve-month gestation period, females give birth to an only pup each breeding season. Females nurse their calves for 8 to 12 months. Females reach sexual maturity at 2 - 4 years old. Males are sexually mature at 5-6 years old, but is not until 7-8 years old that they have the capacity to retain a female and copulate. Life span is about 20 years, although females live longer than males.
     The species occupies a high trophic level in marine ecosystems. They feed both in coastal areas and open ocean, reaching the continental shelf brake. Within the water column, there have been records of individuals diving between 50 m and 600 m deep. Its diet is mainly composed of fish, squid and crustaceans, but feeding varies according to resources availability. Among its predators we can find broadnose sevengill shark (Notorhynchus cepedianus) and orca (Orcinus orca). 
     This species has been exploited by hunter-gatherers since thousands of years ago. Later, it suffered commercial exploitation throughout the XVIII to the XX century. As a result, its abundance and original distribution where reduced to small colonies spread within the previously occupied area.