An easy way to differentiate between seals and sea lions is to look for ears. Sea lions have external ear flaps, while seals do not. Both have ears and good hearing though!
Steller Sea Lion
- Up to 2.5 metres (female) and 3.3 metres (male) in length.
- From 275 kilograms (female) and 1,000 kilograms (male) in weight.
- Found coastally in the North and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
- Brown to yellow when dry, brown to black when wet in colour.
- Short but broad snout, and small external ear flaps.
- Front flippers are broad, with hair covering ¾ of the top surface.
California Sea Lion
- Up to 2.5 metres in length.
- Up to 400 kilograms in weight.
- Found coastally in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.
- Dark brown to light tan in colour, look almost black when wet.
- Straight, narrow snout.
- Small external ear flaps.
- Broad front flippers.