Sea Lions Converge On Monterey Beaches - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

 MONTEREY, Calif. - Hundreds of sea lions have taken over the piers and beaches of the Central Coast in recent days. "They're so cute," says Lauren Sevilla of San Jose. She is one of several dozen people from around the region who made the journey to the coastguard pier on Wednesday to see nature at its closest.

But the Marine Mammal Center wants people to know that looks can be deceiving. "They are in fact wild animals that belong on the beach," says Sue Andrews of mammal rescue organization.

 That means they can be dangerous, and the Marine Mammal Center wants you to know to stay away. "If it was cornered and you surprised it, it would bite and it would be a severe bite," says Andrews. She says whether the animal is an adult or new born pup the same rules apply. "Just because a harbor seal pup is alone on the beach, it doesn't mean it's sick or abandoned. It means its mom has gone fishing and we need to leave those animals alone."