Other Mammals

distribution is north of the equator
found at various haul-out (rocky outcrops) sites around the Victoria area
10's of thousands of Harbor Seals are found along the coasts of Vancouver Island
1 pup per female & approx 10,000 pups born around Victoria each year
pups are born from mid July to mid September around Victoria
pups weigh about 20 lbs (10 kg) at birth
pups suckle for 4-6 weeks
adults are 4-5 ft (1.5 m) long
adults weigh about 150 lbs (70 kg)
are opportunistic hunters eating anything, but feed primarily on herring, hake and other small bait sized fish
eat 4-7 lbs (2-3 kg) fish daily
often look like a 'rock sausage' or 'log'
diverse coloration allows them to blend in the environment really well, hiding in disguise from Transient Orca

they look like great big golden grizzly bears
range is from Washington State to Alaska
recently have been placed on the US Endangered Species List due to rapidly declining numbers in Alaska
it is suspected that the decline is linked with food shortages for young animals and over fishing
breeding occurs mainly in Alaska
males disperse after breeding season and can be found in large numbers around Victoria during the fall and winter months
females generally stay near the breeding sites all year.
males are about 10 ft (3 m) long & weigh approx 2000 lbs (900 kg)
males eat about 22-45 lbs (5-10 kg) fish daily
females are substantially smaller, approx 8-900lbs (4-450 kg)
feed on salmon and small schooling fish

they are known for their dog-like 'barking'
found from southern BC to Mexico
breed mainly in California
females generally stay near the breeding sites all year.
have an active and comical disposition
males spread out after breeding season & about 3000 animals go as far north as southern Vancouver Island during fall and winter months
dark chocolate brown coloration, males have a prominent bump on their forehead (sagital crest)
feed on small schooling fish and salmon

found in coastal water throughout the northern hemisphere
they have a very beautiful bronzy brown colour, with a small triangular dorsal fin that is quite black
adults generally 4-5 ft (1.7 m) long
calves about 2.5 ft (80 cm) long at birth
graceful swimmers, and can sometimes be seen in very large groups (communities), cooperatively feeding on small schooling fish
susceptible to entanglement in fishing gear and coastal pollutants
there has been a drastic decrease in abundance in this area over the last 50 years
very shy animals, avoid boat traffic and are less social than Dall's Porpoise

only found in the North Pacific Ocean
this is the most commonly seen porpoise in the Victoria area
very social and playful, they will often "surf" in the bow (front) wake of boats
their crisp, high contrast black & white colour
misidentification as baby killer whales from shore based on-lookers because of coloration.
adults generally 5-6 ft (2 m) long
calves about 3 ft (90 cm) long at birth
fastest marine mammal in the world
feed on small schooling fish and squid by 'herding' them like cattle