Sea Lion Caves, Central Oregon Coast

2. Sea Lion Caves Sign

The variety of sea lions which live at Sea Lion Caves is commonly called the Northern, or Steller, Sea Lion. This sea lion is named after George Wilhelm Steller, an eminent German naturalist who accompanied the Danish explorer Vitus Bering in 1741 on his second Alaskan expedition. Steller was the first qualified observer to study and classify these animals.

The Steller Sea Lion is a member of the Otariidae family, or eared seal. It is characterized by an external ear which can be closed when entering water and by hind feet or flippers that point forward. In contrast, Phocidae, or true seal, has no external ears and it's rear flippers point backward. Also belonging to the Otariidae family is the California Sea Lion and the Alaska Fur Seal.