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.
Males have a higher mortality rate than females.
It is difficult to study Steller sea lions in the wild, because Steller sea lions are extremely skittish, especially in the winter. Scientists are not certain if these rocks are swallowed by accident or if they serve a useful function. It is speculated that they might help grind up fish, or act as a ballast when diving, or might help ward off hunger pangs when the animals are fasting on shore. Tag is a 6 and a half year old male Steller. He is 2.2 metres in length and 230 kg in weight.