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Whales and Seals
Both of these fascinating creatures are sea mammals, making them similar in many ways. In order for them to survive, they must breathe air. Instead of laying eggs, they give birth to live young. When comparing seals and whales to other sea mammals, it becomes obvious that these two sea mammals are relatively large.
Although whales and seals are similar they differ in significant ways; seals can spend time on land or in ice rather than just in the ocean. Seals and whales have a different technique when it comes to swimming; seals move their bodies sideways through the water and whales move their bodies up and down. Although whales and seals are classified as sea mammals, they are grouped separately. Seals, as well as sea lions and walrus, are classified as pinnipeds and whales, along with dolphins, are classified as cetaceans.
The orca whale is the most popular whale on Vancouver Island, travelling in groups of 30 or 40, called pods. Locally, there are 3 pods that inhabit the waters around Victoria and the San Juan Islands. Collectively, there are about 96 whales in total. Males can live for 45 to 60 years and females for 55 to 70 years.
Minke whales are sometimes spotted in the area. The whale has a dorsal fin similar to that of a female orca, but the fin is smaller and positioned farther back on the body. The minke reaches lengths of up to 32 feet.
Gray and humpback whales occasionally travel to Victoria waters. The minke, gray and humpback whales are all baleen filter feeders.
Sea Mammals
The harbour seal is fairly common, appearances range from brownish to black with a spotted pattern. They weigh between 60 and 80 kilograms (130 to 1175 pounds) and breed locally in the spring and summer months.
Stellar sea lions can grow up to 11 feet in length, migrate north in the summer months and breed in warmer climates.
California sea lions breed in California estuaries and migrate north in summer.
Elephant seals can be seen at Race Rocks. The male of the species has a very pronounced proboscis (trunk-like appendage) and can reach 16 feet in length and weigh 4,000 pounds.
Dahl’s and harbour porpoises sometimes ride alongside in a boat’s bow wake. These mammals reach lengths of six to seven feet.
Sea Birds
Many species of birds can be seen when out on a marine wildlife tour. Western gulls, Heermann’s gulls and glaucous-winged gulls are abundant. Also seen are diving birds such as double-breasted, pelagic and Brandt’s cormorants, muires and guillimots. The bald eagle is often seen along the coastline; there are more bald eagles on Vancouver Island than in all of the continental USA.
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