Crittercam: Steller Sea Lions

Steller Sea Lions

For two million years, the world's largest sea lions have survived along Alaska's rocky coastline, but now the population is declining at an alarming rate.

Wild Chronicles joins a team of scientists using Crittercam® to investigate theories about the Steller sea lions' mysterious disappearance, and uncover clues that could save the species.
1. Why does Richard, a biologist, call the declining population of Steller sea lions "a great mystery"?
  
  Show Answer
  
  The population of Steller sea lions has shrunk radically, but, as Richard says, "there are no bodies." Without bodies, biologists are unable to analyze the health or circumstances surrounding the animals' deaths.
2. Don, another biologist, studies the health of Steller sea lions. What does he find?
  
  Show Answer
  
  Steller sea lions weigh less today than they did 20 years ago.
3. What is the primary food source for Steller sea lions?
  
  Show Answer
  
  Walleye pollock (also called Alaska pollock) accounts for more than half of a Steller sea lion's diet.
4. What other predator hunts this food source?
  
  Show Answer
  
  People have developed an enormous pollock fishery in Alaska.
5. Competition for food may contribute tothe declining population of Steller sea lions. What may be other contributing factors?
  
  Show Answer
  
  Scientists are researching the effects of pollution and changing water temperatures on Steller sea lions.
Articles & Profiles
- National Geographic Magazine: Alaska Coast
Images
- National Geographic Kids: Coloring Book—California Sea Lions
Websites
- National Geographic Animals: Steller Sea Lion

Term	Part of Speech	Definition	Encyclopedic Entry
coast	Noun	edge of land along the sea or other large body of water.	Encyclopedic Entry: coast
Crittercam	Noun	camera designed to be worn on a wild animal, providing a "critter-eye view" of the animal's environment.
decline	Verb	to reduce or go down in number.
population	Noun	total number of people or organisms in a particular area.
sea lion	Noun	marine mammal.

Credits

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Writer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Editor

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing

Producer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Last Updated

Nov. 14, 2016

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