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Eleven Fun Facts about the Sea Lions of San Francisco

November 9 2015 6:21 AM ET via RheumReports RheumReports

  1. The Sea Lions made Dock 39 their home in Sept 1989, a few months before the Loma Prieta earthquake. Did they know it was coming?

  2. When the Sea Lions arrived, Dock 39 used to be a boat dock and had to be refurbished for the Sea Lions. The boats have since all been moved.

  3. In November 2009, there were 1701 Sea Lions counted sleeping on the dock… the highest on record. Normally the numbers fluctuate throughout the year, with the lowest in the summer when many go off to mate.

  4. The Sea Lions probably stay on Dock 39 since there is plenty of food in the water around there, and their natural predators (sharks, orcas) tend to stay away.

  5. Sea Lions spend most of their days sleeping, at least 12 hours per day. Unlike the beach, when Sea Lions sleep on the dock, they don't have to wake up or move with changes in the tide.

  6. It is illegal to feed, harm or harass the Sea Lions.

  7. Over 85% of the Sea Lions on Dock 39 are males.

  8. Sea Lions are sometimes like us….. You can often watch them "arguing" about their spot on the pier, who got there first, and who gets to stay.

  9. Sea Lions, particularly the males, can seriously fight about breeding territories. The winner is decided by size, vocalizations, posturing and chest pushing….. does this sound familiar?

  10. Sea Lions cool off by lifting up a flipper or fanning out.

  11. Sea Lions stink. Stay away on a hot, breezy day.


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About the Author

Dr. Shahin Jamal
Dr. Shahin Jamal

Dr. Jamal is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and an active staff physician at Vancouver Coastal Health. Her interests include diagnosis and prognosis of early inflammatory arthritis, and timely assessment and access to care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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