Bull Sea Lion Feasts on Blue Shark Off California Coast During 'Predator Turns Prey' Event [VIDEO]

Sea lions are typically hunted by their natural predators, mainly sharks and killer whales or orcas since the marine mammal provides sustenance to them. In the wild, these pinnipeds have been in a constant struggle for their lives, as shown in wildlife documentaries. However, marine scientists clarify that sea lions can also eat other marine animals, including small sharks, wherein a related incident occurred in the United States earlier this year.

Last month, a sea lion was caught on video attacking a shark off the California coast. Clips that surfaced online in recent days show the California sea lion attack, seemingly a part of a 'predator turns prey' event, occurred in the waters off Monterey Bay. Reports said that the bull sea lion was taking down a relatively small blue shark, which a marine photographer captured the incident unfolding.

California Sea Lion Attack

One of the videos of the California sea lion attack on a great blue shark was posted on YouTube earlier this week. The 40-second footage shows that the pinniped suddenly surfaced in the calm waters in Monterey Bay while biting the shark on its throat. Afterward, the male sea lion continued to attack and subdue the shark aggressively.

The video did not confirm how the incident started but the short clip showed that the sea lion dragged the shark below the surface water, as explained by an expert. In addition, the mammal also tossed the blue shark before swallowing it. The video was reportedly recorded by a retired nurse-turned photographer.

Do Sea Lions Eat Sharks?

Sea lions, as mentioned earlier, are natural prey to sharks, especially by great white sharks and tiger sharks. However, the question remains if sea lions eat sharks as well, aside from preying on small, juvenile sharks. Last year, California sea lions were also spotted attacking relatively large sharks, including a horn shark and a thresher shark.

Despite their capability to hunt and kill predatory fish, sea lions have not been recorded yet to kill significantly larger sharks. Yet, being carnivores, sea lions consume a variety of organisms, including fish, squid, and octopus, according to the Dolphin Research Center. Marine experts also consider the said pinnipeds as opportunistic feeders, meaning they can also eat other potential available food resources.

Sea Lions

Sea lions like the California sea lion and Stellar sea lion are part of a pinniped group characterized of having external ear flaps. The group also consists of fur seals such as the threatened Guadalupe fur seal, according to the NOAA Fisheries.

These marine mammals can also temporarily survive on land where they use their flippers to move. Outside the oceans, they can be found along offshore rocks, sandy beaches, and even artificial structures like jetties and piers. Both seals and sea lions are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of the US.