Phoca vitulina
Harbour seals are the most common marine mammal in BC waters and can be found year-round along the coast. These curious animals are often seen "hauled out" on rocks, beaches, and docks, basking in the sun. Their spotted coat pattern is unique to each individual, like a fingerprint.
Length
1.5-1.9 m
Weight
55-170 kg
Coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and even rivers. Haul out on rocks, beaches, mudflats, and man-made structures.
Opportunistic feeders eating fish (salmon, herring, flounder), squid, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Spend time both in water and hauled out on land. Generally solitary but gather in groups at haul-out sites. Can be curious about humans but should not be approached.
Marine Mammal
Mirounga angustirostris
Northern elephant seals are the largest seals in the Northern Hemisphere, with males reaching up to 2,300 kg. They are named for the male's large, inflatable nose that resembles an elephant's trunk. These incredible divers spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed and molt.
Marine Mammal
Eumetopias jubatus
Steller sea lions are the largest of all sea lions and the fourth largest pinniped in the world. Named after naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller who first described them in 1741, these impressive animals can be seen year-round on BC's rocky coastlines and are often heard before they're seen due to their loud, distinctive roars.