Freshwater (Fry and Juveniles):
* Birds: Mergansers, herons, kingfishers, gulls, and terns prey on young salmon in lakes and rivers.
* Fish: Trout (including rainbow and lake trout), bull trout, bass, pike, and sculpins are major predators of juvenile salmon.
* Insects and Amphibians: Dragonflies, damselflies, and amphibians like frogs and salamanders also consume young salmon.
* Mammals: Bears, otters, and mink can prey on young salmon, particularly in streams.
Ocean (Adults):
* Marine Mammals: Orcas, seals, sea lions, and dolphins target sockeye salmon in the ocean.
* Fish: Larger fish like halibut, lingcod, and rockfish can prey on adult salmon.
* Sharks: Salmon sharks and other shark species will prey on adult salmon.
* Birds: Seabirds like gulls, terns, and even albatrosses may hunt adult salmon.
During Spawning (Upstream Migration):
* Bears: Bears are notorious for waiting for salmon to spawn in streams and rivers, consuming large numbers.
* Other Salmonids: Larger salmon species (like Chinook salmon) may prey on sockeye salmon during their upstream migration.
* Birds: Birds like eagles, ravens, and crows will scavenge on dead or weakened salmon during spawning.
Additional Factors:
* Human Impact: Commercial and recreational fishing, habitat loss, and pollution can further affect salmon populations and their vulnerability to predators.
It's important to note that the specific predators a sockeye salmon encounters will vary depending on its location, time of year, and the individual salmon's size and stage of life.