ocean life species identification

Mammals

IF YOU’RE LUCKY, YOU MAY SPOT ONE OF THESE FUN FRIENDS IN THE PARK

california sea lion

Scientific name: Zalophus californianus

Family: Otariidae

Phylum: Chordate

Typical size: Females up to 1.7 meters and 113 kilograms; males up to 2.5 meters and 405 kilograms

Depth range: Can dive up to 274 meters

Description: Mature males have a prominent bump on forehead and lighter colored fur. Like others in the family Otariidae, they have short external ear flaps and large hairless flippers. Compared to Steller sea lions, California sea lions are smaller and darker in color.  

Habitat and behavior: California sea lions mate in large rookeries on the coast and on offshore islands. The species has a characteristic “honking” bark. When resting, the sea lions often stick their flippers out of the water to reduce heat loss. They can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes. 

harbor seal

Scientific name: Phoca vitulina

Family: Phocidae

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: Up to 1.8 meters and 113 kilograms. Males and females are similar in size. 

Depth range: They can dive up to 430 meters

Description: Color varies from shades of black with white spots, to white with black spots. Like other members of Phocidae, they have short flippers that are covered with fur and lack external ear flaps. 

Habitat and behavior: They are commonly found in groups of 500 or more members. They swim on the surface of the ocean with their head sticking out and sometimes travel up rivers into lakes. They can swim at speeds from 4.8 knots to 12.5 knots. Harbor Seals commonly dive beneath the surface from five to eight minutes, but can stay at depth up to 28 minutes. 

orca

Scientific name: Orcinus orca

Family: Delphinidae

Phylum: Chordata

Typical size: 7 to 10 meters

Depth range: Dives up to 280 meters

Description: Actually considered a dolphin, not a whale, the orca has a black body with white markings on the face, stomach, and a grey marking behind the dorsal fin. They have a triangular tall dorsal fin, but males have taller fins than females. 

Habitat and behavior: There are two main local communities of orcas: the southern resident orcas and the transients. Resident orcas only chinook salmon and mainly inhabit the inland waters of Puget Sound. The residents will travel in pods of 5 to 30 whales. Transient orcas eat mammals and hunt in smaller pods of 2 to 6 whales. They can live up to 90 years

stellar sea lion

Scientific name: Eumetopias jubatus

Family: Otariidae

Phylum: Chordate

Typical size: Females up to  2.5 meters and 270 kilograms; males up to 3 meters and 1 tonne

Depth range: Can dive up to 200 meters

Description: Steller sea lions tend to have a low forehead. The color of the males seem to be tannish on the top and reddish brown on the bottom. The females are more unitoned brown in color. Like others in the family Otariidae, they have short external ear flaps and large hairless flippers. 

Habitat and behavior: Steller sea lions mate in rookeries. They communicate through roars and growls rather than barks. This species will sometimes swim by and interact with divers. The Steller sea lion tends to make shallow dives around two minutes, but can stay submerged up to 16 minutes.