EP 21: Pinnipeds of the Salish Sea (and Beyond!)

Welcome to Episode 21 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we dive into the world of pinnipeds—our local seals and sea lions—and explore some of their remarkable cousins across the globe. From “rock sausages” to deep-diving elephant seals and tusked Arctic giants, this episode is packed with fascinating facts and unexpected behaviours!

Topics Include:

(0:26) The four species of pinnipeds found in B.C.—harbour seals, northern elephant seals, Steller sea lions, and California sea lions(1:04) How to identify each species and where to spot them(3:03) Deep-dive stats: elephant seals can dive 2,000 metres and hold their breath for two hours!(4:45) Seal vs. sea lion—ear flaps, flipper tricks, and the art of "galumphing"(8:48) Pinnipeds around the world—leopard seals in Antarctica and walruses in the Arctic

Whether you're watching sea lions haul out at Race Rocks or dreaming of leopard seals in the Antarctic, this episode is your one-stop shop for pinniped knowledge.

Questions or favourite pinniped facts? Send them to [e-mail] or message us on Instagram. Make sure to tune in next week for the last episode of the Prince of Whales PODcast Season 1 as we take a break during our busy whale watching summer months!