A Steller's sea lion swims offshore near Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost corner of the Olympic Peninsula.
Ken and Mary Campbell
Steller's Sea Lion - Eumetopias jubatus
Identification:
The Steller's sea lion is the larger of two species of sea lions that inhabit Pacific coastal waters. Males may weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds. They are tawny-colored and much less vocal than the California sea lion.
Habitat:
Steller's sea lions arrive off the Olympic coast during the late summer and early fall, hauling out in masses on the abundant offshore rocks, right alongside their smaller cousins. These whiskered creatures are often visible on the islands off the coast of Cape Flattery and Cape Alava.
Diet:
Codfish, smelt, squid, rockfish, and other fish are staples of their diet.
Role in the Ecosystem: While not common along the Olympic Peninsula, these giants still play an important role. They influence benthic and pelagic zones of the ocean as they forage because depending upon the season and the individual, they may be searching for food near shore or well off-shore. The deepest dive found from a Steller's Sea Lion is about 1,400 feet (426 meters) deep. Even as uncommon animals, a species that can have this much variety can influence a lot in a single season.
Fun Fact: The Steller's Sea Lion is the largest species of sea lion in the world! Males can weigh over 2,400 (over 1,000 kg) pounds and reach 11 feet (3.3 meters) in length.
