What are the differences between Steller sea lions and harbour seals?
Steller sea lions are larger and have longer flippers. They are very vocal, territorial and aggressive. Sea lions are also able to support themselves on their front two flippers and can pull their hind flippers under their bodies to walk. Sea lions swim with their front flippers, while seals swim with their hind flippers. Seals have a smaller and sleeker torpedo shaped body. They rarely vocalize and are quite shy. Seals do not use their flippers to support their bodies and move by sliding or shuffling. Did you know? • Males have a higher mortality rate than females. By ten years of age, there is a 3:1 ratio of females to males. • It is very difficult to study Steller sea lions in the wild, because Steller sea lions are extremely skittish, especially in the winter. • Stones are commonly found in Steller sea lions’ stomach from pebbles to stones up to 12 cm in diameter! Scientists are not certain if these rocks are swallowed by accident or if they serve a useful function. It is speculate
Steller sea lions are larger and have longer flippers. They are very vocal, territorial and aggressive. Sea lions are also able to support themselves on their front two flippers and can pull their hind flippers under their bodies to walk. Sea lions swim with their front flippers, while seals swim with their hind flippers. Seals have a smaller and sleeker torpedo shaped body. They rarely vocalize and are quite shy. Seals do not use their flippers to support their bodies and move by sliding or shuffling. Did you know? • Males have a higher mortality rate than females. By ten years of age, there is a 3:1 ratio of females to males. • It is very difficult to study Steller sea lions in the wild, because Steller sea lions are extremely skittish, especially in the winter. • Stones are commonly found in Steller sea lions’ stomach from pebbles to stones up to 12 cm in diameter! Scientists are not certain if these rocks are swallowed by accident or if they serve a useful function. It is speculate
