THE SEA-LIONS, No. 12.
Of all animals which find permanent homes in zoological gardens and parks, very few afford the public more constant entertainment than Sea-Lions. They are delightfully active, and in one way or another—diving, swimming, climbing or hopping about—are nearly always “showing off.” No one within a quarter of a mile of their pool need inquire where they are, for their loud and cheerful “Hook! hook! hook,” is heard far and wide, and draws visitors like a magnet.
The Sea-Lion Pool is situated about in the center of Baird Court.
The California Sea-Lion, or “Barking Sea-Lion,” (Zalophus californianus), is the species most easily caught alive, and the one usually seen in captivity. Its home is the coast of California, but it is said to enter the Sacramento River and travel upward for a considerable distance in pursuit of spawning salmon. Comparatively few Sea-Lions are now found on the mainland coast of California. On the United States Light-House reservations their slaughter is prohibited by the Light-House Board.
The California Sea-Lion is very similar in size, and, leaving the old males out of consideration, it is almost the exact counterpart in form of that apple of perpetual international discord—the Alaskan “fur seal.” The unfortunate fact that the latter animal has become known as a “seal,” has caused much confusion in people’s minds regarding the classification of pinnipeds (fin-footed animals) generally. For this reason, it is proper to observe at this point that:
Sea-Lions have flat, triangular, naked front flippers, without claws; they have long necks, and carry their heads high. There are nine species, of which the so-called “fur seal” is one.
Seals always have short and stubby front flippers, which are covered with hair, and provided with claws. In most species the hair is coarse and valueless. The seal has a very short neck and by reason of the weakness of its front flippers, it is not nearly so active nor so interesting as the sea-lion.
ATLANTIC WALRUS.
The Atlantic Walrus inhabits the arctic regions between America and Europe, and it is estimated that not more than ten specimens ever have been exhibited in captivity. Because of their unusual feeding habits, Walruses are very difficult to keep alive. Their standard food is clams; and frequently clams are very difficult to obtain. The Atlantic Walrus grows to great size, probably exceeding 4,000 pounds in weight. The specimen exhibited in the rocky pool near the Reptile House was presented by Mr. Paul J. Rainey, in 1911, and has thriven continuously ever since its arrival. It was captured in Kane Basin, north of Baffin’s Bay.
The Harbor Seal, (Phoca vitulina), is the species common along our Atlantic coast, and since it serves so well as a type of hair seals, or true seals, it will occasionally be shown in the Park. In comparison with the active and vivacious sea-lion, it is a tame and rather uninteresting creature; but neither has any commercial value, save for the purposes of exhibition when alive.