Diving w/ Sea Lions (Video)

Tangfish · Post by **Tangfish** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:40 am

This is a cool video I came across. It reminded me of our dives at Cove 2 with the seals, though our seals are more concerned with finding food by our lights than playing with us like these cute sea lions:

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richolionheart · Post by **richolionheart** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:10 pm

I can't wait to do a dive like this!! This is really cool!

nwscubamom · Post by **nwscubamom** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:41 pm

Maybe I'm a biiiiig chicken, but I did a dive like that and it was NOT fun!! On the contrary, it was scary! We were surrounded by juvenile stellar sea lions (who were, coincidentally, a bit larger than we were) and they were all aggressive, biting, etc. Thank goodness we didn't see Mom and Dad when we were out there - they are SUPER huge - like 10 feet long or so I think.

We were on the East Side of Tatoosh Island doing REEF surveys for NOAA and the sanctuary.

- Janna

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:13 pm

I'm guessing you didn't see many fish that dive?

GillyWeed · Post by **GillyWeed** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:44 pm

I am with Janna... That looks really scary!!! Did you see the one bite the divers HEAD!!!!!! OMG! I would probably freak out a little.. I don't like my underwater friends to BITE ME! And they are so much more limber and agile in the water we would be at their mercy if they decided to get a little rougher... Lets hope they don't decide they like the taste of neoprene.

Cool vid though.. Just glad I wasn't in it!

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 7:07 pm

Yeah, I find myself thinking "Wow, that would be so cool" and "Oh my goodness, that looks dangerous".

It is clear that the "bites" were not hard or there would have been lots of blood in the water.... did you see the chompers on those guys?!?

Certainly not something to be taken lightly!

Though I personally haven't heard any, I know that there are stories of divers having runins with upleasant consequences.

That being said, I'd give it a shot anyway!

nwscubamom · Post by **nwscubamom** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 7:49 pm

I think there's also a difference between STELLAR sea lions, and CALIFORNIA sea lions. Stellars are more aggressive, and much larger, and quite capable of creating some serious consequences. From what I understand, California Sea Lions are more playful and not as aggressive.

We were diving with Stellars.

GillyWeed · Post by **GillyWeed** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:28 pm

It still would be scary either way... These are wild animals and we shouldn't take any of them lightly. Wild animals are unpredictable. I think that sea lions are awesome and I love to watch them. But I would be nervous if in the water with them and would hope they kept their distance. They seem nice and playful and it wouldn't be argued that they are very intelligent but still should be given respect for their strength and agility. They could really hurt you if they wanted to and that's where the fear for me would come in.. I am not saying I wouldn't do it, but I am not going to be out looking to swim with Stellars or California sea lions any time soon.

nwscubamom · Post by **nwscubamom** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:54 pm

Yup, I totally agree. Their strength could easily cause a big problem, for instance, should they decide to take a mouthful of your head and snap or jerk it - they could seriously or fatally harm us.

Needless to say, Gillyweed, we're crossing off that dive site for future surveys. We all agreed on that one. (the Stellars were going from dive buddy team to dive buddy team, hassling us - and we didn't get a whole lot of surveying done!)

- Janna