Scientific: Zalophus californianus Spanish: León marino de California Awaswas: Sullan (seal)
Diet: Fish, cephalopods Habitat: Nearshore, hauling out on rocks and pylons Status: Least Concern
These social creatures can often be seen congregating near harbors and wharves where they vocalize via “barking.” California sea lions are year-round residents of the Monterey Bay and can be distinguished from the seasonal Steller’s sea lion who are larger, lighter-colored, and whose males lack a bony crest on their skulls.
Pinnipeds Seals, sea lions and walruses are all pinnipeds which means “fin-footed.” Sea lions are not considered ‘true seals’ because they have external ear flaps and front flippers that allow them greater dexterity on land than other seals. Here in the Monterey Bay you can see the following pinnipeds throughout the year:
Diet: Crustaceans, fish Habitat: Open ocean, nearshore Status: Least Concern
Grey Whales can be spotted in the Monterey Bay in the winter as they migrate south to Baja and in the late spring when they migrate back north with their calves. Whale lice and barnacles cause the distinctive white patches on the backs of these whales.
Cetaceans Whales, dolphins and porpoises are all cetaceans and are some of the largest mammals in the oceans. Here in the Monterey Bay you can see the following cetaceans throughout the year:
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) | May – October
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) | April – December
Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) | December – May
Orca (Orcinus orca) | Year-round transients
Northern Right Whale Dolphin (Lissodelphis borealis) | Year-round
Diet: Rodents, rabbits, birds, fruit Habitat: Rocky, wooded, and brushy regions as well as suburban habitats Status: Least Concern
While gray foxes are common throughout North America, deforestation and urban development have lead to increased competition from red foxes. The grey fox is the only member of the canine family that can climb trees, and they are also known to double back on their own tracks to confuse predators.
Diet: Milkweed (caterpillars), Pollen (butterflies) Habitat: Migratory throughout North America CaliforniaStatus: Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Clustering To Keep Warm Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles, farther than any other insect, to overwinter in warm areas. They cluster for warmth and protection, September to March. Locally they can be seen in Natural Bridges Beach State Park, Lighthouse Field and in the trees behind the Museum.
In 2020, the number of monarchs overwintering in California dropped to less than 0.01% of the historic levels. For every 2,250 monarchs there were 30 years ago, there is only one left flying today. You can help increase monarch populations by supporting the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation’sWestern Monarch Action Plan priorities based on where you live.
For those living within 5 miles of the Central California Coast:
Protect and restore overwintering habitat, such as the monarch grove at Natural Bridges State Beach
Plant pesticide-free native nectar plants
Do NOT plant milkweed (Asclepias spp.), none of which are native to the Central Coast
For those living in Central and Southern California, west of the Sierra Nevada range and more than 5 miles from the coast:
Protect and plant pesticide-free early season native milkweed, such as narrow leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis), and nectar plants
Scientific: Dicamptodon ensatus Spanish: Salamandra gigante del Pacífico
Diet: Fish hatchlings, insects, slugs, other salamanders Habitat: Wet forests in or near, cold streams and rivers, mountain lakes, and ponds Status: Near Threatened
Although usually in or near streams, Pacific giant salamanders may be found several hundred feet from water in wet weather. These large amphibians can grow to over a foot in length and have been known to make barking sounds when disturbed.
Diet: Dead plants, animal droppings, fungi and moss Habitat: Forest floor of coniferous rainforest CaliforniaStatus: Imperiled
The Importance Of Being Slimy A sticky slimy carpet protects slugs from sharp objects, helps them climb trees, travel upside down along a branch, and even lower themselves to the ground by a slime cord. The slime and their bright coloring also discourages many animals from eating them.
Banana slugs depend upon the redwood canopy to keep their habitat moist, and in return these slugs will consume plants that compete with redwoods for nutrients and light. During dry weather, banana slugs will retreat underground to prevent desiccation.
Did you know? Banana Slugs are the school mascot for the University of California, Santa Cruz
Deer are most active in the evening and early morning when they venture into open spaces to graze on grasses and other plants. During the day and night, they often seek cover under the canopy in forests or woodlands. Deer are an important food source for large predators like mountain lions. If predator populations decline, deer populations can boom, causing over-grazing of grasslands.
What relationship do you think humans have with deer, both historically, and today?
Scientific: Pituophis catenifer Spanish: Serpiente de Gopher del Pacífico Awaswas: Siwot
Diet: Small mammals, birds, lizards Habitat: Grasslands, open woodlands CaliforniaStatus: Least Concern
This strong constrictor will kill its prey by coiling its body or pressing the animal up against the wall of its burrow. While they are not venomous, gophers snakes will sometimes vibrate their tails to mimic a rattlesnake and warn off predators. You can differentiate these harmless reptiles from rattlesnakes by the lack of a triangular head and rattle.
Scientific: Buteo jamaicensis Spanish: Halcón de cola roja Awaswas: Káknu
Diet: Small mammals, song birds, snakes Habitat: Widespread in many types of habitats, especially open country CaliforniaStatus: Least Concern
Adapted For Hunting In Different Habitats There are at least a dozen species in the family Accipitridae that migrate through or reside in the county. They are collectively adapted to every habitat in the region and can often be found anywhere there are high perches available from which to hunt. Red-tailed hawks are the most common hawk you will spot in our region and can be easily identified by their red tail.
Scientific: Cicindela ohlone Spanish: Escarabajo tigre de Ohlone
Diet: Arthropods Habitat: Grasslands on coastal prairie terraces Status: Endangered
Named after the Indigenous culture of the area, the Ohlone tiger beetle is a federally endangered species that exists in only a handful of locations, all in Santa Cruz County. Adults are active on sunny days between January and May, and use bare ground for mating, basking, hunting, and larval development within burrows. Because of this, they tend to be found on trails, making them susceptible to trampling, especially by cyclists travelling at more than 5 mph along trails, too fast for the beetle’s ability to react and fly out of the way.
