How do you tell the different types of animals apart?

In general, Otariids have external ear flaps, use their front flippers for propulsion in the water and are able to rotate their hips and tuck their rear flippers under their bodies. Phocids have no external earflaps, use their rear flippers for propulsion in the water, and cannot rotate their hips. Refer to the Pinnipeds page for specific physical characteristics.

Is that a male or a female?

Determining gender among pinnipeds is often difficult from a distance. If an animal is lying on its dorsal side (i.e. its back) you can identify females by the noticeable circle on their upper abdomen, which is the umbilicus, and small circles under and to the sides of the umbilicus, which are the nipples (milk teats). Males will have two noticeable circles: the upper circle is their umbilicus (belly button), and the lower is their genital opening (penile). Males also have two (less prominent) nipples. Adult male sea ions will be large and have the sagittal crest (tall, sloping forehead). Adult females will be smaller and have a more moderate slope to their forehead.

How old is that one?

With the exception of neonates, age is estimated based on body size (length and weight), tooth size, fur length and time of year. Most of the animals that come to the Care Center are the current year’s pups or “weaners”, or a “yearling”, i.e. an animal that is up to two years of age. We also get older seals and sea lions, but we very rarely get in animals in their prime. Neonates that come in with their umbilicus still attached can be aged within a day or two of their actual birth date. If an animal dies at this facility,we can take a canine tooth for aging. By cross cutting a very thin piece of the tooth, staining it, and counting its rings (much like the growth rings of a tree), a more precise age of the animal can be determined.

How long do they live?

Average life span for most pinnipeds is estimated to be from 15 to 25 years.In the wild the males tend to live till their mid teens due to mating rituals (fighting, defending, dominance struggles etc.). Females are usually calmer and live to their mid twenties. In captivity all sexes can live well into their thirties, since they can receive geriatric care.

How big do they get?

Average size for pinnipeds varies with species:

California sea lion: Male 6’6” to 8’2”, 440 to 800 lbs./Female 5’ to 6’, 100 to 250 lbs.
Northern fur seal: Male 6’3” to 7’3”, 330 to 600 lbs./Female 3’8” to 5’, 84 to 150 lbs.
Guadalupe fur seal: Male 5’10” to 7’9”, 350 to 485 lbs./Female 4’6” to 5’6”, 88 to 120 lbs.
Northern elephant seal: Male 14’9” to 18’, 6,000 lbs./Female up to 10’6”, 1,980 lbs.
Harbor seal: Male 4’7” to 5’7”, up to 300 lbs./Female 4’7” to 5’7”, up to 300 lbs. 

How big are the pools?

Pens 1-4 are 3,000 gallons and 3.5 feet deep; pen 5 is 5,000 gallons and 4 feet deep; pen 6 is 13,000 gallons and 5 ½ feet deep.

Is that freshwater or saltwater?

The Care Center is a freshwater facility. Seals and sea lions, unlike cetaceans, do not depend on the salt water for things such as buoyancy or keeping their skin in good shape, nor do they drink the water.

Do you take them back to the original place of stranding or rescue?

No. Upon release, pinnipeds will travel to their normal habitat, with little impact on their migratory patterns. That is why tagging animals is so important, so that we can find out more about where they go and what they do. Additionally, if the original stranding location was hazardous to the animal, it would not benefit them to be returned there.

Why do you treat non-endangered species?

We work with marine rehabilitation and education facilities to accumulate knowledge about the treatment of these animals. We can then be prepared to respond to catastrophic events such as El Niño or oil spills, which would have a detrimental effect on animal populations.

Why do you have these animals on display? Isn’t that exploiting them?

We are not a display facility, rather a treatment facility with outdoor areas. One of our goals is to educate the public about these amazing creatures. Please note that no effort is made to condition these animals in any way other than getting them treated. They are not taught tricks, they are not named, and contact with them is limited to feeds and medical procedures.

Do you get dolphins here?

The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur is a rehab center for pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) only, and our facility is not equipped for long term care of cetaceans (dolphins or whales). When we receive these animals, we attempt to stabilize the animal’s condition and have the animal transported to an appropriate facility.

Are you hurting the animal during that procedure?

While the medical or feeding procedures we perform at the Care Center may often look intrusive to visitors, the procedures are necessary for the animal’s well being. In the case of tube feeds or assist feeds, for example, the animal in question is unable to eat on its own at this point, and this is the only way the animal will get the nutrition it needs. Subcutaneous fluid administration will keep the animal from becoming dehydrated. We are really treating the animals as one would a human baby. We must restrain them and sometimes they protest.

Do animals die here?

Like any hospital, some patients cannot be saved even with the best science or medicine. Animals are here in the first place because they are sick or injured, and we always do everything humanly possible to bring to health and release into the wild every animal that comes through our facility.

How deep can they dive? How long can they hold their breath?

California sea lions generally do not need to dive very deeply, since most of their food is in shallow waters. They can dive to depths of 450 feet and can remain submerged 10 to 15 minutes. Fur seals dive on average to 68 feet and have been recorded to dive to depths of 600 feet, with submersion times of about 7 minutes. The average dive for a Northern elephant seal is 450 feet, though they have been recorded to depths of 5,000 feet. They can easily remain submerged for 20 minutes, with a maximum of 119 minutes. Harbor seals can dive to depths of 600 feet and can remain submerged for 30 minutes. Their average submersion time is 5 to 8 minutes. See Figure 3.5.

What are their names?

Here at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur we do not name our animals, rather we number them consecutively as they are received in the calendar year. This way we are less likely to bond with them and the animals tend to stay non-domesticated in our minds. Animals may also be referred to by their color designations. Colors are applied to the animal’s head using temporary livestock markers.

Can they do any tricks?

The types of animals we treat here, especially the sea lions, have many behavioral traits that can be “captured”, but the shaping of natural behaviors into“tricks” is contrary to the Care Center’s goal of rehabilitation and release.They are wild animals and by feeding themselves they do not need to do tricks. The only thing we teach them is how to be successful in the wild.

Why do they make those noises?

While we cannot understand the vocalizations the animals produce, and it is not a language per se, they are communicating in a rudimentary sense with each other. Some of the noises may mean, “I’m hungry”, and some may be displays of dominance: “Get out of my space”. We can make educated guesses at the intent of their vocalizations, but we cannot translate each specific sound they make.

Most visitors are surprised by the sounds the elephant seals make, particularly if their only exposure to pinnipeds has been sea lions, with their familiar barking.

Why are there colors on their heads?

In cases where the shaved Farrell markings or tag numbers are difficult to read, animals will sometimes be marked on their heads with temporary color-coded markings. These markings are most commonly used on elephant seal pups that are sharing a pen. These markings are temporary. They are not spray paint, they do not harm the animal or affect its ability to eat, and the color will wash out after a short time in the water.

Can I come inside the fence?

Only animal care personnel are allowed inside the fence. The animals in our care are wild animals with the ability to bite through the enclosure fences, and even the volunteers minimize contact with them.

Are you paid or are you all volunteers?

The Care Center has a limited nmber of full time staff members. Everyone else works on a volunteer basis.

Do you have any literature or written information I can have?

The Care Center has documentation outlining the rehab facility, as well as information on special events such as upcoming volunteer orientations. Please also be sure to picj up our latest “Wish List”, and information relating to the Center for Marine Studies.

Do you have a gift shop?

The gift shop is located adjacent to the main visitor area.

Can I arrange a group tour?

Group tours are arranged through the Marketing and Development Director and the Center for Marine Studies. Check out our Education page for more information.