The occurrence of the California sea lion along the Oregon coast is seasonal. The primary areas where it comes ashore are Cascade Head, Tillamook County; Cape Argo, Coos County; and Rouge Reef and Orford Reef in Curry County, but it also occurs in Yaquina Bay and at Sea Lion Caves in Lane County and on Simpson Reef, Coos County.
Where to find sea lions on Oregon Coast?
The main haul out areas for California Sea Lions along the Oregon Coast are in the Columbia River near Astoria (East Mooring Basin), Newport's Port Dock One, Three Arch Rocks off Oceanside and Shell Island at Simpson Reef.
Are there sea lions on the Oregon Coast?
Sea lions found on the Oregon coast include California and the Steller sea lions; the seals you may have seen are most likely harbor seals, although elephant seals are also seasonally present.
When can you see sea lions in Oregon?
SEASONAL VISITORS. California sea lions migrate to Oregon in late summer and stay through fall, winter and early spring. Harbor seals are year-round residents.
Are there sea lions in Cannon beach Oregon?
Seals and sea lions are sometimes spotted from the beach or viewpoints overlooking rocky haul-outs. Seals might be seen bobbing in the water just offshore, and sometimes seals and sea lions are found on the beach. Baby seals are occasionally left on the beach by their mothers while they hunt for food.
What time of year are the sea lions in the cave in Oregon?
For maximum sea lion activity, winter is the best time to visit Sea Lion Caves. As breeding season approached in spring, the sea lions leave the cave and remain in rookeries and outdoor haul out areas along the Coast until stormy weather in fall has them seek shelter within the cave.
Where are the sea lions in Coos Bay?
Both sea lions and seals can be spotted at Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay.
Does the Oregon Coast have seals or sea lions?
Oregon has three sea lion species and two seals. The Stellar sea lion, Northern elephant seal and Pacific harbor seal are Oregon Conservation Strategy Species.
Where are the sea lions in Brookings Oregon?
Harris Beach State Park with yurts, cabins, camping and full hookups is also just north of Brookings. Enjoy the California sea lions, Harbor seals, and go tide pooling at the rich marine gardens. The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor starts just north of Brookings Harbor and continues to about half way to Gold Beach.
Are there bears in Oregon Coast?
Habitat: Black bears are found statewide, with concentrations in the Coast and Cascade ranges and the Blue Mountains.
Are there seals in Gold Beach?
GOLD BEACH, Ore. – Spring is Pacific harbor seal pupping season on the Oregon coast. Visitors should stay away from seals and sea lions resting on rocks or beaches.
Are there seals in Coos Bay?
Cape Arago State Park (Coos Bay, Oregon) is the only spot where elephant seals haul-out year-around in Oregon. Elephant seals have a sandy brown colored coat with no spots. Males are larger than females and can grow to 12 feet in length and weigh over 4,000 pounds.
Can you see seals in Astoria Oregon?
Harbor seals are year-round residents on the Oregon coast and are commonly seen on rocky haul outs, at the sandy mouth of bays and are also regular visitors to coastal marinas with possible sightings anywhere from Astoria to Brookings.
Does the Oregon Coast have seals or sea lions?
Oregon has three sea lion species and two seals. The Stellar sea lion, Northern elephant seal and Pacific harbor seal are Oregon Conservation Strategy Species.
Where are the sea lions in Astoria Oregon?
A sea lion swims in the Columbia River near Pier 39 in Astoria. On the weathered East Mooring Basin docks near Astoria's Pier 39, a cacophony of barking signals the season. A lone sea lion surfaces near the pier's edge, it's long whiskers in view for seconds before disappearing underneath the Columbia.
What kind of sea lions live in Oregon?
Harbor seals are the most commonly observed pinniped (seal or sea lion) seen in Oregon. They haul-out to rest at low tide on sand bars in most bays and estuaries along the Oregon coast. They are also found on nearshore rocks and islands usually within 3 miles of the coast.
What kind of sea lions are in Newport Oregon?
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) love to lay on the rocks and the docs while they are visiting Yaquina Bay. Port Dock One is the main place to see them up-close.
How many Steller sea lions are there in Oregon?
The current population of Steller sea lions is about 40,000 along the entire Pacific coast, with about 2,000 in Oregon. There is great concern about this species. The western Aleutian stock has dropped by 80 per-cent in the last 30 years.
How many sea lions are there in California?
The current population along the Pacific coast is approximately 200,000.
What are the seals in Oregon?
Sea Lions and Seals in Oregon. Chances are if you’ve spent much time at the Oregon coast, you’ve spotted a sea lion or a seal. Sea lions found on the Oregon coast include California and the Steller sea lions; the seals you may have seen are most likely harbor seals, although elephant seals are also seasonally present.
What do sea lions eat?
California sea lions eat squid, octopus, a variety of schooling fish, rockfish, and an occasional salmon. In turn, sea lions are preyed upon by orcas (killer whales) and great white sharks. California sea lion pups are born south of Oregon on offshore islands in June or July and weigh 13–20 pounds. They nurse for at least five to six months ...
What color are Steller sea lions?
Steller sea lions are light tan to reddish-brown in color. They have a blunt face and a boxy, bear-like head. Adult males do not have a visible sagittal crest (the bump on the top of their heads) like that of adult male California sea lions.
How big do harbor seals get?
Harbor seals have spotted coats in a variety of shades from silver-gray to black or dark brown. They reach five to six feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds. Males are slightly larger than females. They are true seals: crawling and having no external ear flaps. True seals have small flippers and move on land by undulating on their bellies like an inchworm.
Why do sea lions have seizures?
In 1998 and again in 2000, large numbers of sea lions were treated for domoic acid poisoning, a condition caused by harmful algal blooms, which causes the animals to have seizures. Other problems for California sea lions involve humans.
Where do sea lions live?
But how much do you really know about sea lions? Both Steller and California sea lions live on the Coast — the former year-round, the latter seasonally. Steller sea lions — which are larger and lighter in color — breed here (tending to congregate at the Sea Lion Caves in Florence), while California sea lions breed in the warmer waters off the California Coast. The females stay there with their pups while the males make the treacherous trek north for food during the winter. They have other fascinating habits as well.
How many sea lions are there in the world?
We have five sea lions: three males and two males (Catalina, 3; Rosa, 2; Koa, 10; Max, 26 and Quill, 26). The oldest two (which came here from the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago in 1992) are much older than they’d live in the wild. Sea lions under human care live longer than out in the open ocean. They tend to develop cataracts in their 20s, so their life expectancy in the wild is their late teens, early 20s. (At the aquarium) we train them for a lot of medical behaviors, like receiving eye drops.
Who owns the Newport Sea Lion Docks?
The platform and newly constructed pilings and docks are owned by the nonprofit Newport Sea Lion Docks Foundation.
How can we help sea lions?
Using reusable grocery bags, reusable water bottles and coffee mugs instead of disposable items can help decrease marine debris that can harm sea lions. Also, sea lions are protected by federal law. It’s illegal for unauthorized persons to disturb, handle or feed them. If you do see a sea lion in distress, call the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network, at 541-270-6830.
When do sea lions migrate to Oregon?
California sea lions migrate to Oregon in late summer and stay through fall, winter and early spring. Harbor seals are year-round residents.
Where can you find sea lions in Buoy Beer?
Inside Buoy Beer, you'll sometimes find sea lions congregating just below a glass panel in the floor.
How far away should you stay from seals in Oregon?
Remember to stay at least 100 yards away, roughly the distance of a city block, from seals and other marine mammals as you explore the Oregon Coast. Disturbing or harassing marine mammals is not only harmful for the animals, it’s also illegal.
When do harbor seals have pups?
Harbor Seals can be found year-round on the Oregon Coast. They have their adorable pups in the spring, with births peaking in mid-May.
What can you tell when you visit Sea Lion Caves?
When you visit Sea Lion Caves, the staff there can tell you if there are sea lions in the cave that day.
How big is the crack in the ground in Oregon?
In Lake County, Crack in the Ground, while technically a volcanic fissure, lives up to its name: it’s basically a gigantic crack that’s more than two miles long and 70 feet wide.
How did Oregon caves form?
That would probably be Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, way underneath the depths of the Siskiyou Mountains, these caves formed when rainwater dissolved the surrounding marble and fashioned a cavernous marble underground system –15,000 feet of passageways, in fact. There are several interconnected caverns here, including Soda Straw Column Caves, Joaquin Miller’s Chapel Oregon Cave, and the Marble Halls. It’s an incredible natural wonder worth exploring.
Where is the largest sea cave in America?
Did you know the largest sea cave in America is right here on the Oregon coast? Located near Florence, Oregon, just off Highway 101, the Sea Lion Caves is an incredible natural wonder that’s worth exploring. This sea cave in Oregon is part of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve, and is a sanctuary for many different kinds of animals — including the hundreds of Stellar Sea Lions that live and breed here many months of the year.
Do sea lions come and go?
At other times of the year, you'll get to see sea lions breeding and sunbathing on rocks outside of the cave. (However, please note: Sea Caves isn't a zoo; the sea lions come and go as they please, so while on some days there might be hundreds of sea lions in the caves, on other days, there may only be other days there might be a few dozen -- ...
