Massive, rare sea lion unexpectedly appears at California pier. What makes him special? (2023)

FAQs

Massive, rare sea lion unexpectedly appears at California pier. What makes him special? ›

What makes him special? Though a massive sea lion basking in the sun at a California pier was surrounded by hundreds of other sea lions, he's the one getting the attention. That's because he's a bit different than the others that typically chill on the docks of PIER 39

They are easily trained and intelligent and are commonly seen in zoos and aquariums. California sea lions are playful, intelligent, and very vocal (sounding like barking dogs). Like all marine mammals, they are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Sea lions are characterized by external ear flaps, long fore flippers, and a big chest and belly. They have short, thick fur, covering a thick layer of blubber that helps to keep them warm in the ocean. They have adapted features that help them to thrive on land and at sea.

The Marine Mammal Center's biologists believe that the sea lions have chosen to haul out at PIER 39's K-Dock because there's plenty of food nearby in the bay and ocean, their natural predators (white sharks and orcas) do not typically feed in the bay and there is plenty of space.

California sea lions are well adapted to their marine environment. Limbs that evolved into flippers and body shape allows efficient movement through the water. Their thick blubber layer aids in temperature control. Vision is keen and better in the water than out.

Hold your breath!

Sea lions are mammals and must breathe air, but they need to dive to catch food. With the help of nostrils that pinch closed automatically, a sea lion can stay underwater for up to 40 minutes at a time.

New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world and are only found in New Zealand.

PIER 39 is known for its spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and Alcatraz, as well as the world-famous California sea lions hauled out on K-Dock. PIER 39 is owned, leased and managed by Moor + South/PIER Management Co., LP.

Get the fast facts on some of San Francisco's most iconic residents, the sea lions of PIER 39. Ah, San Francisco; where rent is so high that 400-plus sea lions have to share one dock! Since 1990, a colony of California sea lions have camped out in force on PIER 39.

October 1978 – PIER 39 opens on schedule to fanfare in San Francisco. Originally, PIER 39 had 50 stores, 23 restaurants, a diving pool and street performers. May 1979 – Blue & Gold Fleet launches its first Bay Cruise. August 1981 – Moor + South acquires property, forming the PIER 39 Limited Partnership.

What are 3 adaptations of a lion? ›

The distinctive appearance is a warning to potential predators that the lionfish's grooved spines are equipped with venom which can cripple a predator and even kill a human. The venom of the lionfish is a defensive adaptation and is not used to catch prey.

Answer and Explanation: Lions have adaptations including retractable claws, rough tongues, nocturnal hunting in groups, and heightened senses that help them survive in their habitat.

Seals can dive to great depths underwater and stay there for up to two hours. Seals use clicking or trilling noises to communicate. Seals eat fish, birds, and shellfish. Male seals are called bulls; females are called cows; and babies are called pups.

Like all marine mammals, seals get all the water they need from their food. Their bodies are very efficient at removing and recycling water from their food. They avoid drinking sea water; if a seal drinks too much sea water it can become seriously sick.

Researchers from Vanderbilt University found that sea lions have a very large brain, with large sensory cortexes that correspond to their whisker region. (Similar large sensory areas have been found in mice and other rodents that regularly use whiskers as a way to detect food and obstacles.)

Do not touch! Marine mammals including seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales, and porpoises are protected by the federal laws that require the public stay 100 yards away. If you believe a marine animal is in distress or injured, contact the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-866-767-6114.

Sea lions congregate in gregarious groups called herds or rafts that can reach upwards of 1,500 individuals.

Sea lions are strong swimmers can reach speeds of nearly 20 miles per hour in the water. They swim using their long foreflippers to generate power and their hind flippers to steer. Sea lions hunt underwater and can dive to depths of 300 meters.

Do sea lions save humans? ›

Marine animals (dolphins, sea lions) and other creatures have helped save humans and other animals from dangerous situations all over the world.

California sea lions live 15 to 20 years in the wild and average 25 to 30 years in human care.

In addition, it relies on movements of its head and neck more than its hindflippers for terrestrial locomotion. California sea lions may travel at speeds of around 10.8 km/h (6.7 mph), and can dive at depths of 274 m (899 ft) and for up to 9.9 minutes, though most dives are typically 80 m (260 ft) and last less than 3 ...

The results show that elephant seals take short naps while diving deep below the ocean's surface. Furthermore, wild seals average just 2 hours of sleep per day when at sea – rivalling the record for the least sleep among all mammals, currently held by African elephants.

Seals sleep in the water as well as on land. In the water, they sleep floating in a standing position, like a fishing bobber, or floating horizontally on the surface. Because they are sleeping and not actively swimming, they can stay under water much longer than when hunting for food.

Sea lions are not typically dangerous to humans, although they can be aggressive if they feel threatened. They are also threatened by habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and overfishing. Some species of sea lions, such as the Japanese sea lion, are endangered.

The reason why white lions are so incredibly rare is because the mating female and the male must both possess the recessive gene in order to produce a white lion cub. The likelihood of both lions having this gene is extremely uncommon, which is why these pale-coloured lions are so special.

The vaquita is the world's rarest sea mammal and one of the most endangered animals in the world. Their name means 'little cow' in Spanish, and they are a unique species of porpoise, with a small, chunky body and a round head.

PIER 39 is not a gated attraction and therefore there is no price for admission. Is there parking at PIER 39? Yes.

This pier is plenty of stores and restaurantes, with nice views of the city from the bay, Alcatraz and the whole pier is a promenade on it self. Wide choices of restaurants. Worth wlaking along the shore from Pier 39 up to Fisherman's Wharf.

Is Pier 39 private property? ›

PIER 39 is private property and appropriate behavior is required at all times: right to pass by permission, and subject to control, of Owner: Section 1008, Civil Code applies at all times.

Even though some have found a safe, comfortable home at Pier 39, sea lions face many threats. During the fall of 2022, hundreds of sea lions were sickened by domoic acid poisoning, a neurotoxin that is caused by harmful algal blooms and that sea lions ingest by eating fish like herring.

While the number of sea lions at K-Dock rise and fall with the seasons, available food supply and natural migration patterns, the world famous sea lions always have a home at PIER 39.

The number of sea lions fluctuates based on migratory patterns and prey movements but at one point there were over a thousand sea lions chilling on the docks. Today, the sea lions are present at Pier 39 from late summer (late July) to late spring (mid May) and there are typically 150 to over 600 hauled out.

The Ventura Pier, formerly known as the Ventura Wharf and the San Buenaventura Wharf, is a wooden pier in Ventura, California. The pier is the oldest pier in the state and is designated as Ventura Historic Landmark No. 20.

The most famous pier in the area, with its iconic Ferris wheel, the Santa Monica Pier is an all-day (and late-evening) adventure.

Do lions have predators? No predators hunt lions to eat them; however, they do have a few natural enemies, such as hyenas and cheetahs. Hyenas compete with lions for food and often try to steal their kills.

Lions will use their roar to ward off potential intruders, and/or to protect their territory and their pride. Sometimes they'll even roar as a way of talking with other lions, and their roars can reach up to 114 decibels—the same noise level as a chainsaw or a snowmobile.

Clean the wound by thoroughly washing the area with soap and fresh water. Remove any foreign material, and control bleeding. Control the pain by immersing the affected area in the hottest water tolerable without causing injury — the upper limit is 113°F (45°C) — for 30 to 90 minutes.

What are 5 physical adaptations of a lion? ›

There are different adaptations to lions, including acute smell, night vision, strong hands, sharp claws, sharp jaws, rough tongue, and loose skin of the abdomen. These characteristics of adaptation assist lions to live in their environments. The lion is a carnivore animal.

Lionfish have 18 venomous spines that are used defensively against predators. These spines should be avoided during capture and handling because of their ability to cause painful injuries. Thirteen long venomous spines are located along the front of the dorsal fin which is located on the top of the fish.

The physical adaptations that make mountain lions successful predators include powerful jaws that can crush a prey's neck in one bite, sharp teeth, retractable claws between toe pads to muffle sound as cats stalk, excellent day and night vision, and excellent depth perception so they can attack with accuracy.

Additionally, the act of humans feeding sea lions can put them at risk as it teaches them not to be afraid of people and make less of an effort to forage for themselves. Due to these risks, in 1972, the Marine Mammals Protection Act was passed to protect marine mammals from human activities and dangers.

Learn More About Sea Lions

California sea lions are known for their intelligence, playfulness and noisy barking. Their fur color ranges from chocolate brown seen in males to a lighter, golden brown seen in females.

Seals and sea lions are marine mammals called 'pinnipeds' that differ in physical characteristics and adaptations. Sea lions (left) are brown, bark loudly, "walk" on land using their large flippers and have visible ear flaps. Seals have small flippers, wriggle on their bellies on land, and lack visible ear flaps.

Is it Safe to Swim with Sea Lions? Because the La Jolla sea lions are well-acquainted with swimmers and divers, it's very safe to swim with them at the Cove–so long as you don't try to feed, touch, or approach them. They'll come to you if they're interested.

Conservation status: Like all marine mammals, California sea lions are managed under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972. They are not, however, designated as a "depleted" population under the MMPA, nor are they listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Can sea lions be friendly? ›

Many sea lions are accustomed to humans, with many being kept in zoos and wildlife parks, and are used to human interaction, making them very friendly.

It's estimated that dolphins have an IQ of around 45, this makes them one of the smartest animals in the world, and probably the smartest animal in the ocean. It's estimated that the dolphin's brain size is almost five times bigger than is usual for a creature of their size.

The average person can hold their breath for 30–90 seconds. This time can increase or decrease due to various factors, such as smoking, underlying medical conditions, or breath training. The length of time a person can hold their breath voluntarily typically ranges from 30 to 90 seconds .

Seals are semi-aquatic, which means they often spend a portion of each day on land. Seals need to haul out for a variety of reasons: to rest, give birth, and molt (annual shedding of old hair). Young seals may haul out on land for up to a week.

Penguins

Krill

One of the best places to see sea lions in California is La Jolla Cove (an excellent sea lion beach in California). However, they are all up and down the California coast. Other places include San Simeon, Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary, Pier 39 in San Francisco, and King Harbor in Redondo Beach.

Harbor seals show aggression by growling, snorting, and waving threateningly with a foreflipper. Another aggressive behavior is head-thrusting - sharp, rapid extension and retraction of the neck. Fighting is rare, except between competing males during the mating season.