RON HENGGELER

October 6, 2009
Record number of sea lions at Pier 39 in San Francisco

San Francisco, October 5, 2009 – There is a record breaking number of California sea lions that are now camped out in PIER 39’s West Marina. The current count taken last Friday by The Marine Mammal Center was up to 1,585. The reason there are so many is unknown, but researchers are analyzing data for some clues.

The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of five species of sea lion. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. Sea lions are sexually dimorphic, males are larger than females, and have a thicker neck and protruding crest. They mainly haul-out on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and wharves. Sea lions feed on a number of species of fish and squid, and are preyed on by killer whales and white sharks.

California sea lions have a polygynous breeding pattern. From May to August, males establish territories and try to attract females to mate with. Females are free to move in between territories, and are not coerced by males. Mothers nurse their pups in between foraging trips. Sea lions communicate with numerous vocalizations, notably with barks and mother-pup contact calls. Outside of their breeding season, sea lions spend much of their time at sea, but they come to shore to molt.

Coit Tower viewed from Pier 39

Shop window on Pier 39

California sea lions hauled out in the Pier 39 Marina

California sea lions hauled out in the Pier 39 Marina

California sea lions hauled out in the Pier 39 Marina

California sea lions hauled out in the Pier 39 Marina

California sea lions hauled out in the Pier 39 Marina

detail of Aria's store window on upper Grant Avenue

 

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