Galapagos Sea Lions and Fur Seals

Sea Lions and Fur Seals are fin-footed mammals with amazing abilities in water. Their speed and agility in water contrasts to their clumsy waddling on land. Seals agility in the water makes it possible for them to maneuver safely in pounding surf and along jagged rocks.

These warm-blooded mammals have adapted over the years to life in the water. Millions of years ago their ancestors were land creatures who hunted the coastline for food. Their adaptation, unlike other marine mammals much as whales and dolphins, did not make the seals completely independent of the land as they spend a portion of their life lazing along the coast.

With their adaptation and graceful ability in water it seems incredible that baby seals need to learn to swim. Seals are born on land and are taught to swim by their mothers.

The young pup is picked up by the back of the neck and is carried into the water by its mother. At first the pup struggles against the surf, but by the time it is a few months old it easily breaks through the surf without problem.

Sea Lions

The 'Unofficial Welcoming Committee' of the Galapagos Islands is the Sea Lion. Their playful inquisitive nature, speed, agility on land, and bark quickly make them an island favorite. Sea Lions live in large Colonies. Adult males known as Bulls are the head of the Colony. Bulls grow to be up to 7 ft (2 m) in length and 800 lbs (363 kg). As males grow larger they fight to win dominance and for a territory including a Harem of between 5 and 25 Cows. Dominant Bulls will fight off any intruders entering the territory.

Each Cow in the Harem has a single Pup born a year after conception. The Pups have a strong bond with their mother. The Cow will nurture a Pup for up to three years. In that time the Cow and the Pup will recognize each other's bark from the rest of the Colony. The mother's will take the young pups with them into the water while nursing. When the Pup is 2 - 3 weeks old the Cow will mate again.

Within the Colony Sea Lion Pups live together in a Rookery. Pups can be seen together napping, playing, and feeding. It is common to see one Cow 'baby-sitting' a group of Pups while the other cows go off to feed.

Galapagos Sea Lions are especially vulnerable to human activity. Their inquisitive and social nature makes them more likely to approach areas inhabited by humans, to come in contact with human waste and with fishing nets and hooks.

Sea Lions can be seen all over the islands. Snorkeling and kayaking with the playful pups is often the highlight of a visit to the Galapagos.