Sugt’stun Name: Wiinaq
Distribution
Steller sea lions are distributed mainly around the coasts to the outer continental shelf along the North Pacific Ocean rim from northern Hokkaiddo, Japan through the Kuril Islands and Okhotsk Sea, Aleutian Islands and central Bering Sea, southern coast of Alaska and south to California.
Conservation Status
Two stocks are recognized, an Eastern Stock and a Western Stock; both stocks were listed as Threatened Species in 1990. The Eastern stock was delisted in December 2013, while the Western Stock is currently listed as Endangered.
Life History
Steller sea lions become sexually mature at 3-7 years. Males generally aren’t large enough to defend a territory until they are 7 years old. They arrive at rookeries in May and can stake out territories for up to 60 days before returning to the water to forage. Females arrive after the males to pup and shortly thereafter breed.
When not in the cool waters of the North Pacific they gather on rocky shorelines and islands that are either haulouts or rookeries. Haulouts are resting areas and rookeries are birthing and breeding areas.
Threats in the Wild
Humans, sharks, and killer whales.
Did you know?
- Approximately 70% of the population lives in Alaska.
- They can travel up to 250 miles to find food.