The steller sea lion is the largest sea lion and largest of all the eared seals, with males reaching 2200 pounds (1000 kg) and more than 10 feet (3 m) long. The recovery of Steller sea lions is related more strongly to predator abundance than resource abundance. The faster pace in the water is useful so that they can escape from their predators faster. General Description. "If the proportion of sea lions killed by predation in our study was applied to population models, we estimate that more than half of the female Steller sea lions would be consumed by predators before they have a chance to reproduce," Horning said. However, an acoustic recorder at a Steller sea lion (SSL) rookery on AgattuIsland documented frequent (1 out of every 3 days) occurrence of Bigg's killer whales, suggesting predation of sea lions may occur regularly. In the Northern Hemisphere, pups tend to be born in mid-June. Their coat becomes slippery in the water which makes them swim faster. Steller sea lions. ), bivalves, cephalopods (e.g., squid and octopus) and gastropods. Scientists using "life history transmitters" to study Steller sea lions found evidence of age-structured predation by orcas (killer whales) and other large predators in Alaska's Prince William . The species is named for the naturalist Georg Wilhelm . killer whales, which are the principal predators of sea lions. The largest species is the Steller's sea lion, which can weigh up to 2 200 lb (1 000 kg) and grow . The Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), also known as the Steller's sea lion and northern sea lion, is a near-threatened species of sea lion in the northern Pacific. From an energy content analysis of Steller sea lions, Williams et al. Ecological Role of Sea Lions as Predators, Competitors, and Prey • Sea Lion Species • California Sea Lions (not listed) - increasing • Steller Sea Lions eDPS (threatened) - increasing (delisting review under way, June 2010) • Steller Sea Lions wDPS (endangered) - decreasing • Predators - varied diet: fish, cephalopods, crustaceans In revision). The Steller Sea Lion Eumetopias jubatus, or more commonly known as the Stellar sea lion, is the largest member of the family Otariidae. North Pacific Ecosystem in Trouble: Environmentalists Sue ... Could sleeper sharks be preying on protected Steller sea ... what is the difference between sea lion and seal ... The Steller sea lion. Steller Sea Lions: Grizzlies of the Sea (12 mins) Stellers are the world's largest species of sea lion. Do you think the film maker believes that the shut down the Pollock fisheries in 2000 has helped the Steller Sea Lions? The Steller (or northern) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is the largest member of the family Otariidae, the "eared seals," which includes all sea lions and fur seals.It is the only member of genus Eumetopias.Otariids differ from phocids, the "true seals," in having external ear flaps, long forearms resembling flippers used for propulsion, and rotatable hind flippers . The scientific name for the Steller's sea cow is Hydrodamalis gigas. The Steller sea lion, also known as the northern sea lion, is the largest member of the "eared seals" family. 2004, King et al. Females are generally smaller, normally weighing 100-200 lb (45-90 kg). It is the largest member of the eared seals. It is the largest member of the eared seals. At that time, it was found only around the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia; its range extended across the North Pacific during the Pleistocene epoch, and likely contracted to such an extreme degree due to the glacial cycle. Many theoretical and experimental studies suggest that synergistic interactions between resources and predators influence foraging decisions and their fitness consequences. In 1997 they were reclassified by NOAA Fisheries as two distinct populations. The Alaska Steller Sea Lion Recovery Team (Kruse et al., 2001) looked at the same evidence from Merrick as reported in BiOp #3 and recommended further consideration of the potential effect of diet diversity on Steller sea lion population trends. Survival and reproduction would have Conceptual model show-ing how sea lion numbers might be affected by ocean climate through . Predicting synergistic effects of resources and predators on foraging decisions by juvenile Steller sea lions Alejandro Frid Æ Jennifer Burns Æ Gregory G. Baker Æ Richard E. Thorne Received: 31 January 2008/Accepted: 1 October 2008 Springer-Verlag 2008 Abstract Many theoretical and experimental studies sug- predator, the Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus Jamie N. Womble 1,2, *, Michael F. Sigler 2 1 School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 11120 Glacier Highway, Juneau, Alaska 99801, USA In the 1800s, you could buy Steller sea lion whiskers for a penny each, and people used them as pipe cleaners. When these giants thunder ashore, their favored beaches, called rookeries, disappear under their numbers. : Sea lion behaviors and predation greater probability of predation at coarse and fine temporal scales. Predation, on the other hand, may be preventing too many juveniles from reaching breeding age, the study concludes. The Steller Sea Lion has a body designed for aerodynamics in the water. "We recognize that this is a very coarse estimate based on a small sample size. Therefore, we estimate total take at 10 sea lions × 47 days = 470 takes. The typical number of Steller sea lions per day in the project area is up to 10 animals. The beaches can be sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, or bedrock. The Dugongidae family used to be quite diverse, but its only surviving member now is the dugong. Steller sea lions are named for Georg Wilhelm Steller, the German surgeon and naturalist on the Bering expedition who first described and wrote about the species in 1742. In our case study with juvenile Steller sea lions (SSL, Eumetopias jubatus) in the Gulf of Alaska, 20 mortality events were previously described, of which 18 were attributed to predation. It is part of the order Sirenia, which also includes several manatee species and the taxonomical family Dugongidae. estimated caloric requirements of adult killer whales at 2-3 Steller sea lion pups per day versus one adult female sea lion every 2-3 days. On average, females give birth for the first time when they are 5 years old. Bishop et al. Being warm blooded helps them control their body temperature in cold . Steller sea lions are opportunistic marine predators whose prey include a wide range of fish and cephalopod species. the ecology of the North Pacific Ocean occurred This document has been archived. Today, environmental groups Greenpeace, American Oceans Campaign, and the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit in federal court demanding that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) take action to prevent the collapse of the North Pacific . For most of the 20th century, Steller Sea Lions were killed as part of programs to control predators of fish raised in British Columbia fish farms. It is the sole member of the genus Eumetopias and the largest of the eared seals (Otariidae). Males may grow to 11 feet in length and weigh almost 2,500 pounds. Sea lions mate approximately 20 - 30 days after the birth of their pup, leaving only about one month out of the entire year that she is not pregnant. Twins are rare and mothers seldom adopt other pups. Steller sea lions are light tan to reddish-brown in color. Steller sea lions from haulouts and rookeries throughout southeast Alaska make seasonal migrations to the Alsek River during spring to take advantage of this high energy, densely aggregated prey resource. Orcas are the most common predators of Steller sea lions, though salmon sharks . Pacific sleeper sharks, a large, slow-moving species thought of as primarily a scavenger or predator of fish, may be preying on something a bit larger - protected Steller sea lions in the Gulf . ), along with squids and octopuses. Steller sea lion pups in the Gulf of Alaska are being killed by predators at such high rates that their population will have difficulty recovering without a reduction in predators, a new study shows. The locations of 13 of these at-sea predation events with post-mortem tracking data were estimated, with spatial uncertainty calculated using movement-based . 2007), were captured from the Prince It lives in the northern Pacific. Sites used during the breeding season (May-August) where. The threats to the Steller Sea Lion can be classified in two main categories. What is the total commercial value of the fish caught within 1 hour? Steller sea lions at a haul out on Glacier Island in Prince William Sound . The largest sea lion in the world, the Steller sea lion, is one of many ocean predators losing the race with industrial fisheries in the North Pacific ocean. Steller sea lion foraging ecology: (1) do Steller sea lions exhibit a flexible foraging strategy and shift diet composition in response to changes in prey availabil-ity; (2) do Steller sea lions move between areas as prey becomes available seasonally and is the number present related to the amount of prey available; and The deepest dive for a Steller sea lion ever recorded is 424 meters. In comparison, adult females only grow up to 9.5 feet long and weigh about 800 pounds. In recent decades the numbers of Steller sea lions have declined dramatically. Large schools of herring overwinter here, attracting predators like humpback whales and as many as 600 Steller Sea lions. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Its scientific name remains that of the extremely difficult to pronounce term of the Eumetopias jubatus. General Description. By comparing predictions from a dynamic state . Their diet may vary seasonally depending on the abundance and distribution of prey. They prefer to feed on schooling fish or squid, but have been seen occasionally killing harbour seals or sea otter pups. Steller sea lions are expected to occur in the project area once per day. Steller sea lions are the largest members of the Otariid, or "eared seal," family. Male sea lions, slightly longer at nine feet, weigh more than twice as much as females at an average of 1,500 pounds with "beach masters" reaching up to 2,400 pounds. The first category covers human-induced factors such as hunting and killing. Females are much smaller and may grow to 9 feet in length and weigh 1,000 pounds. They include Killer Whales, Sharks, and humans. The endangered western stock of the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) - the largest of the eared seals - has declined by 80% from population levels encountered four decades ago. 2. They have a blunt face and a boxy, bear-like head. While we don't know too much about the interactions with Sea Lions and Killer Whales or Sharks . The northern, or Steller, sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is a pale- to golden-brown sea lion of the Bering Sea and both sides of the North Pacific Ocean. Steller's Sea Cow Scientific Name. Most mammals were cetacean and at least 70% of the cetaceans were probably scavenged. The main predators of Steller sea lions are killer whales, sharks and humans. Predators seemed to take young sea lions more often than older ones. Pacific sleeper sharks, a large, slow-moving species thought of as primarily a scavenger or predator of fish, may be preying on something a bit larger -- protected Steller sea lions in the Gulf of . It is the largest member of the eared seals. Steller Sea Lions: Grizzlies of the Sea SALISH SEA WILD: EPISODE ONE . The Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus), also known as the Steller's sea lion or northern sea lion, is a species of sea lion from the rocky coasts of the northern Pacific. These sea lions are able to hold their breath for as long as 40 minutes. 51. The Steller (or northern) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is the largest member of the family Otariidae, the "eared seals," which includes all sea lions and fur seals. The Steller Sea Lion is also warm blooded. 2. Steller sea lions are opportunistic predators, foraging and feeding primarily at night on a wide variety of fishes (e.g., capelin, cod, herring, mackerel, pollock, rockfish, salmon, sand lance, etc. whale, sea otter, and one Steller sea lion pup (at Kasatochi Island in 2005). Data collected from some predation events associated . Female sea lions tend to select locations for pupping that are gently sloping and protected from waves (Sandegren 1970). Today, California sea lions are the more common species throughout California and many parts of Oregon and Washington. The population of eastern and Asian steller sea lions (California, British . Steller sea lions. Adult male Steller sea lions are enormous! Stellers are the world's largest species of sea lion. Early observers called them sea lions because the males grow large, furry manes, but when we compare these top predators to land animals, we think of them as the grizzlies of the sea. killer whales, which are the principal predators of sea lions. Salmon sharks, killer whales, and Pacific sleeper sharks are some of their known predators. A male California Sea Lion weighs on an average about 300 kg and is about 2.50m long, while the female sea lion weighs 100 kg and is 1,70m long. No data exist on the energetic cost or risk of killing and consuming an adult Steller sea lion versus a pup or juvenile. Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) is an extinct sirenian described by Georg Wilhelm Steller in 1741. Steller sea lion haulout on Benjamin Island in Southeast Alaska - Photo: Jamie Womble, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Pretty much the only way this could happen is if the sea lion was dismembered by a predator and the tag came flying out. The team sampled for 5 days in a row once a month from October 2004 to April 2005. The project involves 47 days of in-water work where take could occur. Historically, the numbers of California sea lions declined north of Monterey Bay and their larger cousin, the Steller sea lion, was more common. It is the largest member of the eared seals. However, two fi sh comprise a majority of the sea lions' diet: pollock and herring. Stellers are opportunistic hunters and tend to concentrate on the most abundant prey in their locale. The Steller sea lion is also known as "seawolf: "seevitchie" for the Aleuts and "sivuch" for the Russians. The data from this study indicate that Pacific sleeper sharks need to be considered as a possible source of mortality of juvenile Steller sea lions in the region of the . Food limitation is the principal factor in the decline of Steller sea lion populations 1,2,3,4.This decline could be explained by competition with commercial fisheries, as it has coincided with . Alternatively, several lines of evidence Male sea lions can weigh up to 300 kg (660 lb) and grow to 8 ft (2.4 m) long, depending on the species. Among pinnipeds, it is inferior in size only to the walrus and the two species of elephant seals. Although Pacific sleeper shark and Steller sea lion ranges overlapped, so predation could potentially occur, the diet study suggested that predation on Steller sea lions is unlikely, at least when pups first enter the water or during weaning. Natural Predators of Sea Lions. The largest of the sea lions, known for its majesty and beauty, as well as its remarkable sexual dimorphism; males are much taller and more robust than females. 3. South American sea lion. The Steller's Sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), is also known as the Northern sea lion. Male sea lions, slightly longer at nine feet, weigh more than twice as much as females at an average of 1,500 pounds with "beach masters" reaching up to 2,400 pounds. Stellar sea lions are sexually dimorphic, meaning males are generally bigger reaching an average weight of 1,245 pounds. Rookeries generally occur on beaches of remote islands with difficult access for humans and other mammalian predators (Sea Lion Recovery Plan Team 1991). Scientists researching the severe decline in Alaska's Steller sea lion population have a fingered a new possible suspect for the drop: Pacific sleeper sharks, a species previously thought of as a . the ecology of the North Pacific Ocean occurred This document has been archived. They can grow up to 11 feet long and weigh roughly 2,500 pounds. Steller sea lions are the largest members of the Otariid, or "eared seal," family. Steller Sea Lion. Pollock increase exponentially while herring and sea lions decrease the same (90%) exponentially. Births occur mid-May to mid-July and peak in June. 2009). However, through indirect evidence interpreted in support of resource and other constraints on Steller sea lion productivity [19- 22,1], attention has recently shifted towards anthropogenic and Steller Sea Lion Facts The term of Steller Sea Lion, not at all surprisingly, serves as one of the common names of a particularly impressive variety of mammal. Males can measure 8.8 feet and weigh 770 pounds. The northern, or Steller, sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is a pale- to golden-brown sea lion of the Bering Sea and both sides of the North Pacific Ocean. Pacific sleeper sharks, a large, slow-moving species thought of as primarily a scavenger or predator of fish, may be preying on something a bit larger -- protected Steller sea lions in the Gulf of . Each mother usually gives birth to a single pup. Current overall trends from the Gulf of Alaska to the Aleutian Islands appear neutral with strong regional heterogeneities. Even if birth rate was constant, Horning says predation could drive the decline of a population because of density dependence—an ecological concept that states the behavior of an animal may change as the density of its predators . Steller sea lions are powerful predators, feeding on almost any smaller fi sh found in their habitat. Counts of Alaska Steller sea lion adult and juvenile (non-pup) conducted on r. However, Steller sea lions are much larger and lighter in color. These include more than one hundred species of fish (such as herring, mackerel and salmon), squid and octopus, and occasionally seal pups. Steller sea lion breeding is one of nature's great mass spectacles. Early observers called them sea lions because the males grow large, furry manes, but when we compare these top predators to land animals, we think of them as the grizzlies of the sea. There are various species of sea lion belonging to five extant genera.

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