Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University have been working with Blackpool Zoo to shed some light on how California sea lions hunt underwater.
Dr Robyn Grant, Lecturer in Environmental Physiology and Behaviour, and Alyx Milne, a PhD Student and Sea lion trainer at Blackpool Zoo, will be discussing at the hunting habits of sea lions on the show Ingenious Animals, airing on Thursday 22 September on BBC One.
Alyx and Dr Grant said: “Sea lions can hunt effectively underwater because of their incredibly touch-sensitive whiskers. The underwater environment is largely dark and so their vision cannot be relied upon, especially when searching for prey. California sea lions have the longest whiskers of all mammals and we have been looking at the sea lions at Blackpool Zoo for inspiration.
“Sea lions move their whiskers actively to complete certain tasks, such as ball-balancing or fish-catching, much like we move our hands to explore and control objects.”
The researchers will be demonstrating how the sea lions use their whiskers during swimming, fish catching and ball-balancing, even at night, using only their whiskers for guidance.
