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Meet Rare Sea Wolves Who Live Off The Ocean And Can Swim For Hours
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Meet Rare Sea Wolves Who Live Off The Ocean And Can Swim For Hours

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Along the wild Pacific coast of British Columbia, there lives a population of the sea wolves. “We know from exhaustive DNA studies that these wolves are genetically distinct from their continental kin,” says McAllister. “They are behaviourally distinct, swimming from island to island and preying on sea animals. They are also morphologically distinct — they are smaller in size and physically different from their mainland counterparts,” says Ian McAllister, an award-winning photographer who has been studying these animals for almost two decades.

McAllister captured the magic of these wolves in breath-taking pictures. As he swam towards them, “the curious canines approached him so closely that he could hear them grunting into his snorkel. He took several frames, then pushed back into deeper water without daring to look up,” writes the bioGraphic.

One could almost call these sea wolves pescatarians – 90 percent of their food comes directly from the ocean, with a fourth of it coming from eating salmon. On top of having distinctive food patterns, sea wolves are also excellent swimmers, with their farthest record being swimming to an archipelago 7.5 miles from the nearest landmass.

(h/t: nationalgeographic)

Along the wild Pacific coast of British Columbia, there lives a population of the sea wolves

“We know from… DNA studies that these wolves are genetically distinct from their continental kin”

“They are behaviourally distinct, swimming from island to island and preying on sea animals”

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The wolves “are smaller in size and physically different from their mainland counterparts”

They are excellent swimmers that can do 7.5 miles in a go

90 percent of their diet is seafood as these creatures live off an ocean

Thanks to photographer Ian McAllister, who captured the magnificence of this species…

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We can take a better look into their lives in fairy-tale like natural surroundings

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Iveta

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Iveta

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g90814
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, this is probably similar to how seals and dolphins (and whales) evolved.

Load More Replies...
Jayda D'Eyry
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in southwestern British Columbia and always wondered why our local swim team was called the Sea Wolves. I never knew they actually existed.

Jilliana Kenmore
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So with the book called "The Sea Wolf", apparently Jack London based his book on a real thing, eh? Whodathunk?

Allan Orr
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except it's actually nothing to do with wolves unlike "call of the wild" and "white fang" which are easily his best-known stories, it's actually about human beings with the "Sea Wolf" being a seaman called Wolf Larsen.

Load More Replies...
shell
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing work done by McAllister and Pacific Wild. Sadly, there are still pathetic people who want to kill these creatures for fun and bragging rights. Some conservation organizations and photographers are reluctant to publish exactly where they study these animals lest it tips off trophy hunters.

Lake North
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The similarity of Orcas/Killer Whales and Wolves in terms of being social (pack/pod) animals and predators gave rise to the term 'Sea Wolves' which is a simile/figurative. The use of Sea Wolves to describe these populations of wolves is a literal term.

Andrew Cas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These look like the wolves they film on the the series alone on Vancouver island BC but yet they have never mentioned they're sea wolves thanks for the info!

Dane Pearson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is some cool information and great photography, especially that last pic! And I learned about sea wolves which I never knew existed until now.

Peg Detmers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a biologist what I see in this story is how a once land predator had evolved back into the sea becoming seals.

Felicia Dale
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in the PNW all my life and never heard about them before just this moment. SO COOL.

Alan Aitchison
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We saw one while on a whale watching day trip out of Prince Rupert last year.

Joey Horbachewsky
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would be interesting to know if their feet are webbed like dogs who are good swimmers have.

Maria L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey look! PROOF of evolution! Animals evolving to adapt to the surroundings! Can we send this to the the evolution naysayers? Or would they deny this as well?

lcuchulain
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how is that proof of evolution dipshit?? These Sea Wolves didn't evolve into another separate species, their STILl Wolves/ Canines...fecking pleb c**t

Load More Replies...
Su Peters
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

amassing photos and great story. i didn't realize these wolves existed i hope they get left alone to live a happy existence.

Emilia Bresciani
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Borepanda, you are providing a link to 'would be hackers' impersonating Apple Inc and keen to get into our computers and rob our details. Are you aware of that. The links of Trump IQ an the hairstyles takes us directly to these rascals. No good!!!

Michael Blizzard
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If these are real, then why have we not heard of them before? Fake!

Annie Knight
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The SUNY Stony Brook University mascot is the seawolf... Hahaha I always thought they made that up!!

Gregory Wilson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is how evolution happens. Let these dogs hang out in the water for a few million years, and you'll have something distinctly different from what they currently are.

Tiffany Broflovski
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Super article ; gorgeous and amazing pictures ! Thanks Ian McAllister

daLenaBear
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I thought this was fake, but I looked it up and there is quite a few pages on them. Cool!

christine bragg
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i was thinking the same thing. that the pics were just regular wolves eating and swimming.

Load More Replies...
Abby Rexroth
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a documentary about whales and the reason they still have a primitive pelvic bone is that they were wolves that evolved into what they are now. Maybe these wolves will become whales or dolphins millions of years from now!

Vincent Jay
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting. They seem to be going the same route as did the polar bears.

Teejay Doyle
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great. Sharks and killer whales aren't enough, now wolves.....

Andrew Cas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A Great white has been tracked upto the uk! Next is the good old white shark for you's!

Load More Replies...
Usernameofgag
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I almost believe that the tittle is trolling... I expect to see dog swimming.

g90814
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, this is probably similar to how seals and dolphins (and whales) evolved.

Load More Replies...
Jayda D'Eyry
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in southwestern British Columbia and always wondered why our local swim team was called the Sea Wolves. I never knew they actually existed.

Jilliana Kenmore
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So with the book called "The Sea Wolf", apparently Jack London based his book on a real thing, eh? Whodathunk?

Allan Orr
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except it's actually nothing to do with wolves unlike "call of the wild" and "white fang" which are easily his best-known stories, it's actually about human beings with the "Sea Wolf" being a seaman called Wolf Larsen.

Load More Replies...
shell
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing work done by McAllister and Pacific Wild. Sadly, there are still pathetic people who want to kill these creatures for fun and bragging rights. Some conservation organizations and photographers are reluctant to publish exactly where they study these animals lest it tips off trophy hunters.

Lake North
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The similarity of Orcas/Killer Whales and Wolves in terms of being social (pack/pod) animals and predators gave rise to the term 'Sea Wolves' which is a simile/figurative. The use of Sea Wolves to describe these populations of wolves is a literal term.

Andrew Cas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These look like the wolves they film on the the series alone on Vancouver island BC but yet they have never mentioned they're sea wolves thanks for the info!

Dane Pearson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is some cool information and great photography, especially that last pic! And I learned about sea wolves which I never knew existed until now.

Peg Detmers
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a biologist what I see in this story is how a once land predator had evolved back into the sea becoming seals.

Felicia Dale
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in the PNW all my life and never heard about them before just this moment. SO COOL.

Alan Aitchison
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We saw one while on a whale watching day trip out of Prince Rupert last year.

Joey Horbachewsky
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would be interesting to know if their feet are webbed like dogs who are good swimmers have.

Maria L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey look! PROOF of evolution! Animals evolving to adapt to the surroundings! Can we send this to the the evolution naysayers? Or would they deny this as well?

lcuchulain
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how is that proof of evolution dipshit?? These Sea Wolves didn't evolve into another separate species, their STILl Wolves/ Canines...fecking pleb c**t

Load More Replies...
Su Peters
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

amassing photos and great story. i didn't realize these wolves existed i hope they get left alone to live a happy existence.

Emilia Bresciani
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Borepanda, you are providing a link to 'would be hackers' impersonating Apple Inc and keen to get into our computers and rob our details. Are you aware of that. The links of Trump IQ an the hairstyles takes us directly to these rascals. No good!!!

Michael Blizzard
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If these are real, then why have we not heard of them before? Fake!

Annie Knight
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The SUNY Stony Brook University mascot is the seawolf... Hahaha I always thought they made that up!!

Gregory Wilson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is how evolution happens. Let these dogs hang out in the water for a few million years, and you'll have something distinctly different from what they currently are.

Tiffany Broflovski
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Super article ; gorgeous and amazing pictures ! Thanks Ian McAllister

daLenaBear
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I thought this was fake, but I looked it up and there is quite a few pages on them. Cool!

christine bragg
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i was thinking the same thing. that the pics were just regular wolves eating and swimming.

Load More Replies...
Abby Rexroth
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a documentary about whales and the reason they still have a primitive pelvic bone is that they were wolves that evolved into what they are now. Maybe these wolves will become whales or dolphins millions of years from now!

Vincent Jay
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting. They seem to be going the same route as did the polar bears.

Teejay Doyle
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great. Sharks and killer whales aren't enough, now wolves.....

Andrew Cas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A Great white has been tracked upto the uk! Next is the good old white shark for you's!

Load More Replies...
Usernameofgag
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I almost believe that the tittle is trolling... I expect to see dog swimming.

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