Marine Mammal Center

Northern Fur Seals and California Sea Lions

How do the two species interact? Are the Sealions dominant?

The five fur seals are bigger, but no particular species is dominant. The two California sea lions are still only pups.

ooh, look, a glorified pool. I liked the old sea otter exhibit that was located here, before thise multi-million dollar piece of junk was constructed. at least, the otters could be viewed underwater. I also feel that with 7-8 NFS and 2 CSL the exhibit is crowded.

Exactly my thoughts, it seemed kind of small for a breeding group of fur seals.

Yes, it does. For $11 million dollars, they jazzed it up. I get how costs vary in different regions, but I feel they shafted the animals. If anyone has been to see STLZ's Sea Lion Sound, which did cost more, but has more to offer, this is unacceptable. STLZ has to create saltwater, NEAQ just pumps it in from the harbor. I just can't see the justification to offer these animals such a small exhibit. They claim, the pool is sixty feet long, but that includes the shallow area. The remainder of the pool, is only seven feet deep. Sure, STLZ's cost $18 million, but they have an excellent habitat, underwater viewing, and that, tunnel. They even have an arena area, which I don't care for, but it is still better than NEAQ's habitat. It's just not that appealing, when compared to newer pinniped exhibits.