Marine Animals

Nov 25, 2024: Sea lions have swarmed San Francisco's Pier 39, marking the largest gathering in 15 years. Why are so many sea lions gathering? They are chasing a massive school of anchovies that migrated from the Farallon Islands, located about 28 miles from the bay.

Experts say it's a positive sign are pleased to see so many of the mammals gathering in large numbers. Sea lions are extremely social, living in colonies that can have thousands of members. Some sea lions can even hold their breath for up to 20 minutes!

By the way, why not visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium? The Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrated its 40th anniversary on October 20th, 2024.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium joined Museums for All beginning May 27, 2024. “We want everyone to experience the joy, wonder, and sustenance a healthy ocean provides,” said Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California. It was the first to exhibit a living kelp forest when it opened in October 1984. The organization's research and conservation efforts also focus on sea otters, various birds, and tunas. Monterey Bay Aquarium displays 35,000 animals belonging to over 550 species in 2.3 million U.S. gallons (8,700,000 L) of water. At 28 feet (8.5 m) tall and 65 feet (20 m) long, the Kelp Forest exhibit is the focal point of Monterey Bay Aquarium's Ocean's Edge wing.

 

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a subsection of its site called Learning at Home that contains online courses and activities for young people to learn about marine animals, ecosystems, ocean conservation, and related topics. Climate change is impacting the ocean across various ecosystems, from coral reefs to the deep sea. Education is a top priority. Since 1984, more than 2.5 million students have visited the Aquarium for free.

The site is available in English and Spanish.

In addition to online courses, which you can view by grade level, the site also has crafts, suggestions for parent-led activities, and short readings (facts and photos) about various animals and plants.

Visit: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org