Description

Discuss marine mammal adaptations for life at sea, including diving physiology, thermoregulation, and echolocation. Learn about key identification features of local cetacean and pinniped species. What are the characteristics that distinguish between seals and sea lions? Baleen and toothed whales? What ocean-dwelling marine mammal is a member of the weasel family? Travel along the central coast on a field trip to observe gray whales migrating from cold arctic waters to calving grounds in Mexico, sea otters rafting in kelp beds, elephant seals on the beach at the height of pupping season, harbor seals hauled out in the rocky intertidal zone, barking California sea lions, and possibly pods of nearshore dolphins.
Bring a sack lunch, water, snacks, binoculars, and identification references. Dress in warm layers. Van transportation included.
$4 parking permit required to leave your vehicle on campus.
WEATHER POLICY. If a class is canceled due to safety or weather issues, students will be notified by Cuesta Community Program. The class will be rescheduled, or full refunds will be given. If the class or program is on the weekend, the instructor will make the decision and call all registered.
Class Schedule: Our class schedules may be subject to change. You can always view the most current class status anytime on the Community Programs website. To stay up to date after registering, please monitor your email, as any changes will be sent to the email address we have on file.

Activity Category

Outdoors, Nature & Science

Location

SLO-RM 4110

Instructor

Steve Schubert