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Steller Sea Lion

Eumetopias jubatus (Mammals)

Species Description

The Steller Sea Lion is less well known than its relative, the California Sea Lion. The Steller Sea Lion is the largest member of the sea lion family, with males reaching eleven feet in length and weighing almost 2,500 pounds; females reach nine feet long and 1,000 pounds. They are light tan to reddish brown in color, with a blunt face and a boxy, bear-like head with a very thick neck. Unlike California Sea Lions, Stellers tend to remain offshore and congregate in areas with few people.

The survival of this Stellar Sea Lion became a concern when scientists noted that the species’ population declined by 75% from 1976 to 1990. The decline was particularly dramatic in the western half of the species’ range, from central Alaska to Japan. Today, the Stellar Sea Lion’s western population is protected as “endangered” while the eastern population is protected as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.

The decline in the Steller Sea Lion’s population is probably caused by several synergistic effects. Commercial fisheries potentially cause or contribute to nutritional stress in the western stock of Steller sea lions by reducing the availability of prey. Environmental change wrought by global warming and cyclic oceanic conditions may also play a role. Pollution and other ocean contaminants are also suspected.

There has been a northern shift of the population along the U.S. West Coast, with larger numbers found from the California-Oregon border north and small colonies remaining on Año Nuevo Island in San Mateo County and the Farallon Islands; this northern shift is also happening along the Asian coast and may be related to global climate change.

In the GGNP, sightings of Steller Sea Lions are sporadic and opportunistic: there is no single place where a Stellers sighting is guaranteed. Just keep your eyes on the ocean and make sure you know how to distinguish the Steller Sea Lion from the more common California Sea Lion: Stellers tend to be larger with a lighter-colored coat and a box-like head.

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Conservation Action Item

Keep the sea free of plastics:
Use a reusable bag when you shop

Steller Sea Lions and many other marine species can be harmed by the common plastic grocery bag. These bags can enter the marine environment, where they can entangle animals or be mistaken for jelly fish and ingested, which is harmful to the animal. Help ensure that Steller Sea Lions are safe from plastics by using your own reusable bag when you shop.

For more information about this Conservation Action Item:

Big Year Competitors have reported 0 sightings and taken 11 actions to help this species recover so far this year.

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