Facts about Sea Lions
Observing Stellar Sea Lions
on the Coast of Vancouver Island
Here are some fun facts about sea lions that will help you appreciate the stellar sea lions that you see on Vancouver Island. And, some of these sea lion facts may come as a surprise to you… When vacationing on Vancouver Island, you may very well see sea lions, and knowing something about their habits will help you understand their sometimes peculiar behavior and antics. Stellar sea lions are the largest of all eared seals, and their official scientific name is Eumetopias jubatus. During your stay, you may see stellar sea lions on the Race Rocks near Victoria or on the rocks beside the ferry route as you go through Active Pass.
Stellar sea lions on Vancouver Island can become quite animated…
What are Stellar Sea Lions?
Stellar sea lions live in the cool waters along the coast of the North Pacific. You can see them in the water, but they also like to lounge on rocky islands or large rocks along the coast. These sea lions have large bulging eyes and long whiskers that they use to navigate when they are swimming under water. The stellars also have small ears that turn downward, so that they don’t capture water when the sea lions swim. Adult males grow long coarse hair that resembles a lion’s mane as they mature. Hence, the name, “sea lions”. The fur or hair is blonde to light brown, and darker brown around the flippers and tummy. Pups are usually dark brown. Stellar sea lions can grow to be 7-9 feet and they can weigh up to 1500 pounds.
Stellar sea lions like to hang around on large rocks or rocky islands.
Sea Lion Communication
If you have seen other sea lions or seals before, you may be surprised by the sounds you hear when observing the stellar sea lions.Instead of barking, you may hear a roar! Adult males can be quite aggressive, and they grumble, growl and roar at each other. They also bob their heads up and down when they are excited.
What do Sea Lions Eat?
Sea lions are carnivorous by nature, so they typically feed on fish (herring, pollock, salmon, cod and rock fishes), squid, crabs and clams. They generally hunt close to the shores and can easily find food due to their excellent sea lion swimming skills. Stellar sea lions swim quite fast, and they can dive to a depth of 600 feet—in just two minutes! The stellar tend to follow their food, and you can often see large colonies on the northern part of Vancouver Island.
Stellar sea lions feed together in groups.
From December through April, the sea lions congregate on the eastern side of Vancouver Island and off French Creek (further north), as herring return there to spawn.Stellar sea lions consume a lot of food. An adult sea lion needs to eat at least 6% of its body weight, just to survive. But, these sea lions don’t drink water. They get all the water that they need—from their food! One of the funniest facts about sea lions is their tendency to play with their food before swallowing it. You may find it cute or weird, but the truth is they are finding the right position for easier digestion, as they don’t chew their food—they swallow their food whole. You probably won’t see the sea lions eating, though. Stellar sea lions eat in groups, but they eat at night. Between 9 P.M. and 6 A.M.
What Eats Sea Lions?
As big as they are, it’s hard to believe that there are predators for the Stellar sea lions. But there are! Killer whales, great white sharks and people prey on the sea lions. And risks for the sea lions increase, as they go further out into the ocean. That is where they are more likely to dive deeper and to encounter whales and sharks.
Enjoy Watching our Sea Lions!
Stellar sea lions are one of the more intelligent mammals. For this reason, they are often chosen for entertainment in zoos or in theme parks. And they are one of the more popular attractions on Vancouver Island.Knowing some of the facts about sea lions will make it more fun when you visit Vancouver Island and see these interesting creatures in the wild!
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