120 SEALS AND SEA-LIONS 



3. Wild animals never should be destroyed on the strength 

 of general opinions, for a supposed enemy may, on careful 

 investigation, prove to be a friend. 



The Steller Sea-Lion, 1 the largest Sea-Lion in the world, 

 inhabits a few isolated spots on the Pacific coast, from Santa 

 Cruz, California, to Bering Strait. Large male specimens 

 attain an average length of 10 to 11 feet, stand 6 feet high, 

 and attain a weight estimated by competent observers at 

 1,400 pounds. The full-grown male has a girth of 8 to 9 feet, 

 a lion-like head, coarse neck hair 4 inches long, and canine 

 teeth, like those of a grizzly bear, which are much used in 

 fighting. 



The full-grown females are from 8 to 9 feet long, weigh 

 from 400 to 500 pounds, and are more finely formed than the 

 males. The hair is coarse, and the animal is now of practi- 

 cally no commercial value, save for its oil. This species is 

 readily distinguished from the California sea-lion by its far 

 greater size, its hoarse voice, the very large neck, and the long, 

 coarse neck hair of the males. 



In its habits, this great Sea-Lion is very peculiar. Amongst 

 themselves the old males fight fiercely, and with their big 

 canine teeth inflict upon each other many severe skin wounds. 

 I have seen specimens whose necks bore scores of large scars. 

 In the presence of man, however, they are timid and easily 

 frightened. 



This giant among Sea-Lions is found on the coast of Cali- 

 fornia, in small numbers only, at Point Ano Neuvo, near 

 Santa Cruz, at Purissima, the Farallone Islands, Point Reyes, 



1 Eu-me-to' pi-as stel'ler-i. 



