Steller Sea Lion: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Seals and Sea Lions · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. This is the biggest of the eared seals. Among all seals and sea lions, only the walrus and the two elephant seals outsize it.
2. Big males can weigh up to 1,120 kg and grow a thick mane around the neck. Their Latin name roughly means maned one with the broad forehead.
3. Young ones may stay with their mother for as long as four years. Some mothers even feed a daughter who is feeding her own newborn pup.
4. Back from fishing, a mother must find her pup in a crowd. Each of them has its own special call, a bit like a name.
5. During the breeding season, adult males go without food. Many do not even enter the water from mid-May until August.

The quiz

1. Which of these is bigger than the Steller sea lion?

• The California sea lion
• The harbor seal
• The walrus (correct)
• The sea otter

Only the walrus and the two elephant seals are bigger among pinnipeds.

2. What does the Steller sea lion's Latin name roughly mean?

• Maned one with the broad forehead (correct)
• Swift swimmer of the north
• Golden king of the rocks
• Loud barker of the bay

The name points to the male's mane and broad forehead.

3. How long can a young Steller sea lion stay with its mother?

• Only two days
• As long as four years (correct)
• Exactly one week
• Only until it opens its eyes

Weaning age varies a lot, and some stay with mum up to four years.

4. How does a mother find her pup among the crowd?

• By the colour of its fur
• By its footprints
• By a special call each one has (correct)
• She waits for a ranger

Mother and pup use their own distinctive calls, like names.

5. What do breeding males do from mid-May until August?

• Swim far out to sea
• Hunt every night
• Sleep in caves
• Go without eating (correct)

They fast all season, often never entering the water.

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