Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is in the Eared Seals family (Otariidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,448 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G3.
When to photograph Steller Sea Lion: observations by month (U.S.)
About Steller Sea Lion
The Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), also known as the northern sea lion and Steller's sea lion, is a near-threatened species of sea lion in the northern Pacific. It is the sole member of the genus Eumetopias and the largest of the eared seals (Otariidae) and is also the largest species of sea lion. Among pinnipeds, it is inferior in size only to the walrus and the two species of elephant seals. The species is named...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Steller Sea Lion by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 2,948 | July | May–Sep |
| Washington | 1,070 | August | Apr–Dec |
| Oregon | 756 | July | Mar–Sep |
| California | 674 | July | Apr–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Eared Seals)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Steller Sea Lion?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is Steller Sea Lion most often seen?
The most observations come from Alaska, Washington, Oregon.