The largest of the eared seals, with massive males weighing up to 2,500 pounds. Western populations crashed 80% since 1960 and remain Endangered. Eastern populations have rebounded.

Also called: Steller's Sea Lion, Northern Sea Lion

Native status: Native to North Pacific

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 2.5–3.3 m (8–11 ft); shoulder height 1.0 m
WeightMales 590–1,100 kg (1,300–2,400 lb); females 200–270 kg
LifespanWild 20–30 years; oldest documented 31
OrderCarnivora
FamilyOtariidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Steller sea lion, also known as Steller's sea lion or the northern sea lion, is a large, near-threatened species of sea lion, predominantly found in the coastal marine habitats of the northeast Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Northwest regions of North America, from north-central California to Oregon, Washington and British Columbia to Alaska. Its range continues across the Northern Pacific and the Aleutian Islands, all the way to Kamchatka, Magadan Oblast, and the Sea of Okhotsk, south to Honshu's northern coastline. It is the sole member of the genus Eumetopias, and the largest of the so-called eared seals (Otariidae). Among pinnipeds, only the walrus and the two species of elephant seal are bigger. The species is named for the naturalist and explorer Georg Wilhelm Steller, who first described them in 1741. Steller sea lions have attracted considerable attention in recent decades, both from scientists and the general public, due to significant declines in their numbers over an extensive portion of their northern range, notably in Alaska.

Source: Wikipedia — Steller sea lion Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive sea lion with tan-brown body, mane in males, pointed snout. Larger than California sea lions.

Similar species. California Sea Lion (smaller, darker). Northern Fur Seal (smaller, denser fur).

Voice. Loud roaring growls from males during breeding.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish (especially Pacific herring, salmon), squid, octopuses.

Behavior. Among the largest pinnipeds. Forms massive rookeries on rocky coastal islands. Listed as endangered in 1997 but downlisted 2013 due to recovery.

§ Range

North Pacific from Russia to California

§ Habitat

Rocky coastal islands and mainland haul-outs

§ Threats

Climate-driven prey shifts in Bering Sea, fisheries competition for prey, vessel disturbance, entanglement.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the steller sea lion is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Choose sustainably caught Pacific seafood. Maintain 100-yard distance from haul-outs. Support climate action.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • National Marine Fisheries Service
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List 2017