Steller or Northern sea lions are sometimes confused with California sea lions, but are much larger and lighter in color. Steller sea lions are light tan to reddish brown in color. They have a blunt face and a boxy, bear-like head.
Adult males lack the saggital crest that adult male California sea lions display.
Stellers are found throughout the North Pacific rim from Japan to central California. Unlike California sea lions, Stellers tend to remain offshore or haul out in unpopulated areas. Mothers stay with pups for one to two weeks before hunting at sea. Then they spend roughly equal amounts of time hunting and nursing pups on land. Pups usually nurse for a year, but some continue to nurse for up to three years.