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Pinniped Seal
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Pinniped Seal
Pinniped seal or "fin-feet" are large marine mammals belonging to the
former biological suborder Pinnipedia of the order Carnivora.
The pinnipeds now fall within the suborder Caniformia and comprise
the following families:
- Odobenidae - walruses
- Otariidae - sea lions, eared seals, and fur seals
- Phocidae - true seals
Pinnipeds
can hold their breath for nearly 2 hours underwater
To keep warm in cold waters, pinnipeds have a layer of blubber under their
skin -which also provides buoyancy. The thickness of the blubber depends on the
species. Their blubber can also provide food for the animal.
- Newborn pinnipeds have no blubber.
Pinniped Diets
All pinnipeds are carnivorous, eating fish, shellfish, squid, and other
marine creatures. Most are generalist feeders, but some are specialists.
- Ross Seals and Southern elephant seals mainly feed on squid.
- Crabeater seals eat mostly krill
- Ringed seals feed almost exclusively on crustaceans
- Walrus consumes molluscan prey items by sucking the soft parts from the
shell.
Recent molecular analysis reveals that the
closest living relatives of the pinnipeds are the bears, which was already
suspected for some time.
An alternative hypothesis held that pinnipeds are
polyphyletic, with the true seals derived from otter like creatures and the
walruses and eared seals from bear like creatures, but the aforementioned
molecular study established that the pinnipeds are indeed monophyletic -derived
from a common ancestor... Wikipedia
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The Skipper's Corner
"The Legendary Captain" Ron King, Owner Operator
of Sea King Adventures, has over 35 years of experience
in the beautiful waters around Victoria and Vancouver Island. He is a certified
Master Skipper with naturalist and conservation education.
Since staring in business in 1995 Ron boasts a perfect
safety record.
Born and raised in Victoria, Captain Ron has over 30 years
of professional marine experience - including 25 years of commercial fishing and
11 years whale watching.
Like his father before him, going to sea is the only life he’s known. He began
his career as a deckhand on board his father’s fishing boat "Five Kings II" at
the tender age of 11. By the time he was 20, he owned and operated his first
fishing vessel, "Aquarius".
In 1995, with the commercial fishery in decline, he
discovered his passion and purpose in whale watching and founded SeaKing
Adventures Inc.
Because SeaKing Adventures is Victoria’s only 100% family owned and
operated marine tour company, Ron’s commitment to quality, safety and
satisfaction is guaranteed! His central location on board the vessel allows him
to provide Victoria’s most comprehensive fully narrated, totally interactive and
personalized tours. Boasting a spotless safety record and sightings guarantee,
Ron’s qualifications and experience combine to make him the city’s premier
guide.
Our vessel can accommodate groups of 12 comfortably and is
Canadian Coast Guard inspected annually. The soft riding boat has comfy leather
seats, an onboard toilet and is equipped with all the latest in GPS, radar and
communications apparatus. Safety survival suits are supplied for each passenger.
Passengers can all expect a exciting, educational, safe and
comfortable tour of the area whales and wildlife.
Reservations
Recommended Book early!
2009 Rates
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(250) 381-4173
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