Other Mammals
Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina):
- 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
Stellar Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus):
- 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
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus):
- 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) males are 6-8 ft (2-2.5 m) long and weigh approx. 900 lbs (400kg)
- feed on small schooling fish and salmon
Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena):
- 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
Dall's Porpoise (Phocenoides dalli):
- 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
