Among the many, many, many attractions at Depoe Bay, Oregon, is the number of Sea Lions living out in the Pacific Ocean. Many of them lay on the rocks along the coast giving a tourists a thrilling view as they go about their daily lives. Almost every small town between Astoria Oregon and San Francisco, and then some, has a colony of some sort.
Sea Lions are related to seals and have a 20-30 year life span. There are several sub-species of Sea Lions, with the Stellar Sea Lion being the largest. Sea Lions of some sort live in all climate zones from tropical to subartic and in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
While they’re a huge tourist destination, they are also a huge pest. Sea Lions can eat five to eight percent of their body weight per a feeding. This causes a huge number of problems at places like Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River where they have learned to feast upon the runs of endangered Chinook Salmon.
What is your favorite location to see the sea lions at?
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