The Steller Sea Lion By: A.J. Alefi

Interactions with humans ABSTRACT They have powerful vocalization capabilities that go along with a vertical Steller sea lion were hunted for meat and other commodities by Resources head bobbing motion. When it comes to hunting, the Northern sea lions prehistoric communities everywhere their range intersected with Descriptions and articles about the Steller's Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) - Encyclopedia of The amazing steller sea lion is the third largest Pinniped (colloquially are scavengers that mostly hunt and nourish themselves at night when human communities. Aside from food and clothing, their skin was Life. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from http://eol.org/pages/328617/details known as seal), after the elephant seal and the walrus, and a top fish predators are less likely to be traced, these sea lion prey a large variety of notably used to cover baidarkas and kayaks. A subsistence harvest on fish including capelin, cod, herring, rock fish, salmon, mackerel, Pollock, predator. Also known as the “Northern Sea Lion,” the Steller sea lions the order of 300 animals or less continues to this day in some native Endangered Species. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from http://endangered-species- habitat extends around the North Pacific Ocean from Russia to Japan. sand lance etc. Their diet fluctuates depending on the distribution of prey communities in Alaska.Historically, the sea lion has had only very animals-plants.blogspot.com/2012/06/steller-sea-lion-eumetopias-jubatus.html seasonally. These Sea lions could separate and range remote distances to Stretching as far as the Aleutian Islands to the North American west coast. slight commercial value. For example, in the 19th century, their However, despite its voluminous variety, the entire Steller sea lion catch prey, however are not notorious to migrate. They are colonial whiskers sold for a penny apiece for use as tobacco-pipe cleaners. Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) - Office of Protected Resources - NOAA Fisheries. population breeds at only a small number of rookery sites where the breeders, adult males or “bulls” inaugurate and defend territories on (Steller Sea Lion. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014) (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from animals haul out to give birth to their undeveloped. rookeries to mate with females. Adult male Sea Lions become sexually http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/stellersealion.htm mature among 3 and 8 years of age, then again normally are not large enough to hold territory effectively up until nine or ten years of age. Their penises are considered to be aphrodisiacs in some forms of Mature Bulls can typically go without eating for about 1-2 months while Steller Sea Lion. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from traditional Chinese medicine. Steller sea lions are sometimes killed http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/education/marine-mammal- they are aggressively protecting their territory. Female sea lions normally intentionally by fishermen, as they are seen as competitors and a information/pinnipeds/steller-sea-lion/ breed for the first time at about 4 to 6 years old, typically giving birth to only one pup each year. (Endangered Species. (n.d.). Retrieved December threat to fish stocks. Killing sea lions is strictly prohibited in the U.S., 9, 2014) Canada, and Russia, but in Japan, a fixed number are still removed Steller sea lion. (2014, June 12). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from annually, ostensibly to protect their fisheries. In recent years, Steller http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller_sea_lion sea lions have been known to enter the Columbia River estuary and feed on white sturgeon, several salmon species and rainbow trout, some of which are also listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. (Steller Sea Lion. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014)

They enter the Columbia River primarily in the late winter and spring, occasionally going as far upstream as Bonneville Dam. Though not as abundant as the California sea lion, they are still a General Information concern for those agencies charged with managing the fish populations. Since the Steller sea lions are themselves protected The Steller sea lion is also the leader of the “eared seal family.” These under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, managers are compelled Northern sea lions also take place in displaying sexual dimorphism. This is to use nonlethal deterrence methods, such as rubber bullets and where the adult male sea lion is noticeably bigger than the female because of the thick mane of coarse hair. The male Steller sea lion can reach lengths as noisemakers. Deterrence by the public is strictly forbidden. (Steller big as 10-11 ft. and weigh as much as 2500lbs. The female sea lion is Sea Lion. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014) noticeably smaller than the males reaching lengths from 7.5-9.5 ft and weighing about 800 pounds. Both the male and female Steller sea lion have big thick coats that appear to be a lighter blonde to reddish brown color with a darker complexity on the abdomen and chest. Both male & female Steller sea lions have long whitish whiskers, on their snout. They have hairless regions on their body including their flipper which as black. (Descriptions and articles about the Steller's Sea Lion, Dec. 9, 2014)

When the Steller sea lion are in water there main use of movement come from the fore-flippers, it is much wider and elongated then the sea lion’s hand flippers. These incredible creature can also reach great distances in the water diving to about 1300ft. under and also swim long distances seasonally but chose to feed along the shore and pelagic waters. During the breeding season for the Steller sea lions, they use their habitat as a haul-out site. This is used for molting, resting and rookeries for breeding. Steller sea lions also travel in small packs when out in sea but can be found in big “rafts” which are located Habitat/ Critical habitat on the shore near rookeries and haul-out points. (Descriptions and articles about the Steller's Sea Lion, Dec. 9, 2014) Steller sea lion are adapted to colder temperatures, they fancy the sub-arctic waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Haul outs and rookeries include beaches, ledges, and rocky reefs. Even though it’s not typical behavior, Steller sea lions may also haul out on sea ice in the Bering Sea and Okhotsk Sea. (Steller Sea Lion. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014)

Critical Habitat for Steller sea lions have been clear to be a twenty seafaring mile buffer surrounding all major haul-outs and rookeries, also including associated terrestrial, air and aquatic zonesand last but not least three large offshore foraging areas (50 CFR 226.202 on Aug. 27, 1993). (Steller Sea Lion. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014)