WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Think this means trouble? It doesn’t

Thanks to Larry Shaw for the photos and report:

I happened upon a bunch of people checking out a sea lion exhibiting “sailing” behavior this morning off Alki Ave SW between Alki Beach and Luna Park. Several people thought the animal might be injured, but “sailing” is a normal behavior sea lions engage in. They float and raise their flippers out of the water to regulate their body temperature.


We have featured this before – in 2013, a “sailing” sea lion was even mistaken for a dead whale! – and Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network has raised awareness. But with so many new arrivals (and tourists), it’s always worth a reminder!

6 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Think this means trouble? It doesn't"

  • Bonnes February 16, 2020 (3:07 pm)

    Just like sticking a leg out of the blankets at night!

    • Alice February 16, 2020 (8:18 pm)

      Exactly my thought!

  • Trileigh February 16, 2020 (3:09 pm)

    Thanks for the reminder about sea lion behavior! It’s great to see that people care so much for our amazing marine mammals.

  • Dan February 16, 2020 (8:06 pm)

    Its so nice to see one of these guys aluve out in the water instead of on the shore after falling victim to a fisherman’s gun

  • Eric February 17, 2020 (4:22 pm)

    Sea lion aquatics show.

  • Aaron February 17, 2020 (5:32 pm)

    Glad you shared this! I saw this on Alki a couple years so I called the local marine protection agency and they kinda chuckled and told me he’s just cooling off. 

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