As part of the Fishy Friday series, we turn our attention to the sea lion, the true acrobat of the marine world.
Equally at home hauling their bulk onto rocky shores or performing effortless underwater pirouettes, sea lions are a masterclass in adaptability. Unlike seals, they have external ear flaps and can rotate their hind flippers forward, allowing them to “walk” on land with surprising speed and agility.
However, it’s in the water where they truly shine. Sea lions can reach speeds of up to 25 mph, dive to depths of around 600 feet, and hold their breath for up to 10 minutes.
Highly intelligent and deeply social, they live in large, noisy colonies where mothers and pups recognise each other by unique calls. Playful throughout their lives, sea lions surf waves, play with objects, and even use tools such as holding rocks to crack open shells.
Their ultra-sensitive whiskers can detect the faint wake of a fish that passed by moments earlier, allowing them to hunt successfully even in darkness or murky water.
💡 What we can learn:
Sea lions thrive because they spend most of their time in their element. While they can manage on land, their real power, speed, and grace emerge in the water. For us, understanding where we do our best work and focusing our energy there dramatically increases effectiveness. Add curiosity, playfulness, and strong social connections, and learning becomes faster and the journey far more enjoyable.
Are you spending enough time in flow or are you pushing too hard on unfamiliar land?
#FishyFriday #LearningFromNature
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With the help of my brilliant friend and colleague Allison Ross, AI-Powered Learning & Transformation Architect (aka the Geek Goddess), I’ve created a short quiz to reveal your inner marine creature.
Give it a try here Which Marine Creature do you embody?