They're loud, they're rowdy and they're smelly.
Sea lions are very social animals and generally feel more secure when they are surrounded by others. That’s why you’ll often see them laying around in close bundles. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Bay.
By Mallory Johnson
Published: January, 2016
They’re loud, they’re rowdy and they’re smelly.
If you’ve ever walked along or near PIER 39, chances are you’ve heard them. This is where the California sea lions have been hauling out since 1990, when they took over the docks shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake.
There’s no such thing as personal space among these boisterous mammals, and this isn’t an issue of too many sea lions or a lack of space. Sea lions have an innate need, called thigmotaxis, to be in close contact with others. Sea lions are very social animals and generally feel more secure when they are surrounded by others. That’s why you’ll often see them laying around in close bundles, and even sleeping and crawling on top of one another.
The overwhelming majority of the sea lions found on K-Dock are adult males. Male sea lions have a few notable attributes that make them stand apart from females. For starters, males are much larger with a thicker neck. Male sea lions can also be identified by the protruding crest atop their heads. Another noticeable giveaway is the color of their hide, which is much darker than on females or juveniles.
While the males are roughhousing here in San Francisco, the females spend their time lounging down south, typically in Southern California near the Channel Islands or off of Mexico. Around summer time, there are noticeably fewer of these rowdy pinnipeds hanging around the docks at PIER 39. This signals mating season, during which time the males will migrate down south to meet up with the ladies. There, they will try to win the affection of their female counterparts by establishing and defending a territory.
The females will choose their mates by wandering through the territories to make their selection, but will often avoid the males that are too assertive or energetic. Once breeding season comes to an end, the males will return back north, and many of them will end up back at their home on PIER 39.
From January 15 to 18 the Sea Lion Center, Aquarium of the Bay and PIER 39 will celebrate the 26th anniversary of the sea lions’ arrival to K-Dock. Guests can gather for free 20-minute educational tours that end at the Sea Lion Center just above the sea lions’ hangout on K-Dock. To learn more about the sea lion anniversary, visit www.sealioncenter.org.
Sea Lion Fun Facts:
California sea lions in the wild may live up to 20-25 years.
California sea lions are known for their intelligence, playfulness and noisy barking.
Male sea lions reach 850 pounds and seven feet in length. Females grow to 220 pounds and up to six feet in length.
California sea lions are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act; it is unlawful for unauthorized persons to feed, handle or harass them.
Sea lions are animals of habit, meaning it’s a good bet they will continue to return to PIER 39 for years to come.
Mallory Johnson is the Communications Manager at Aquarium of the Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, restoring and inspiring the conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed.
