Mammals of the WorldSteller Sea Lion
Eumetopias jubatus
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Otariidae
- Genus
- Eumetopias
- IUCN status
- NT
- Distribution
- Canada|Russia|United States|China|North Korea|South Korea|Japan
- Realm
- Marine
Other names: Northern Sea Lion|Steller's Sea Lion|Loughlin's Northern Sea Lion|Western Steller Sea Lion
About this species
- Size
- Females about 2.3m; males about 2.8m
- Weight
- Females about 263kg; males about 566kg
- Diet
- Fish and cephalopods
- Habitat
- Rocky coasts and continental-shelf waters
The Steller sea lion is the largest eared seal. Adult males develop a massive neck and shoulders covered with longer coarse hair, while females remain much slimmer. Both sexes are pale tan to reddish brown, with dark flippers. Mature males average around 2.8m and 566kg; females about 2.3m and 263kg (NOAA Fisheries species account). The streamlined body narrows toward the hind flippers.
The species forages over continental shelves and near coasts, taking fish and cephalopods including pollock, cod, herring, salmon and squid. Sea lions haul out on exposed rocks and islands; breeding adults gather at traditional rookeries, where large males defend territories and females give birth to single pups. Outside breeding colonies they may travel and feed in dispersed groups (NOAA Fisheries species account).
Description: Wildlife of Japan guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com)