# Steller Sea Lion (*Eumetopias jubatus*) Steller Sea Lions are big, playful animals that live in the ocean. They love to bask in the sun on rocky shores and can be very loud with their barking sounds! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 26 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Northern Sea Lion, Pacific Sea Lion, Steller's Sea Lion ![Steller Sea Lion](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425929/objects/2546.jpg) ## Appearance The Steller Sea Lion is the largest species of sea lion, displaying a golden to reddish-brown coat that often appears lighter when dry. They have a massive head and a short, blunt snout, with adult males easily identified by their much thicker neck and broad chest. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Otariidae - **Genus:** Eumetopias ## Interesting facts - Male Steller Sea Lions can grow longer than a king-size bed and weigh more than a small car! - Pups are born with a dark, furry coat and learn to swim almost immediately after birth! - These sea lions often gather in enormous groups, called rookeries, with thousands of individuals! - They have super sensitive whiskers that help them feel for fish, even in the darkest ocean depths! ## Special abilities - **Super Swimmer:** Steller Sea Lion has powerful flippers and a streamlined body that helps them quickly chase fish and squid underwater. - **Deep Diver:** Steller Sea Lion can dive over 400 meters deep because of their ability to slow their heart rate and hold their breath for long periods. - **Blubber Insulation:** Steller Sea Lion has a thick layer of blubber under their skin that helps them stay toasty warm in the icy North Pacific waters. - **Loud Communicator:** Steller Sea Lion can make incredibly loud roars and barks, which helps them communicate with thousands of other sea lions in a colony. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 230-320 cm - **Weight:** 250-1120 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 27 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 350-365 days ## Diet & Feeding These big hunters eat a variety of fish and squid from the cold ocean waters. - **Primary Foods:** Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, Herring, Salmon, Squid, Octopus - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — A major predator, hunting pups and sometimes adults. - **Eaten by:** [Great White Shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-white-shark) (*Carcharodon carcharias*) — Known to prey on younger or smaller sea lions. - **Hunts:** Alaska Pollock (*Theragra chalcogramma*) — A significant and frequent prey species for Steller Sea Lions. - **Hunts:** [Pacific Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-cod) (*Gadus macrocephalus*) — An important part of their diet in many regions. - **Hunts:** [Pink Salmon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pink-salmon) (*Oncorhynchus gorbuscha*) — A common prey species, especially during migrations. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always watch from a distance and never approach wild sea lions, as they can be protective of their space. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Steller Sea Lion? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Steller Sea Lion? 230-320 cm ### How much does Steller Sea Lion weigh? 250-1120 kg ### How long does Steller Sea Lion live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Steller Sea Lion move? 27 km/h ### What does Steller Sea Lion eat? These big hunters eat a variety of fish and squid from the cold ocean waters. ### Where is Steller Sea Lion usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Steller Sea Lion hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mystic-aquarium-and-institute-for-exploration) — Connecticut, US · Aquarium - [Alaska SeaLife Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-sealife-center) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [Point Retreat Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-retreat-light) — US · Historic District - [Dionisio Point Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dionisio-point-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Sandwell Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sandwell-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Simson Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/simson-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Steller Sea Lion](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/steller-sea-lion) ## Watch - [Play video: Steller Sea Lion](https://www.snappit.app/videos/steller-sea-lion) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=VJ10rYYk-Ww) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Steller Sea Lion: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/steller-sea-lion)