Steller sea lions Jun 8, 2025

Steller sea lions might look like laid-back loungers on rocky shores, but they are noisy and nosy. Built with broad chests and thick necks, they are hard to miss. Today"s image features Steller sea lions gliding through the chilly waters off the coast of Vancouver Island in Canada. These marine mammals are heavy—females average more than 260 kilograms, while males are around 540 kilograms. Males are noticeably larger than females and are known for their loud roars and flatter snouts. Their deep vocalisations include belching, growling and snorting to warn others and communicate underwater. Males get loud to defend turf, while moms and pups use unique calls to find each other in a crowded rookery. Despite their size, they"re preyed on by orcas and large sharks. These sea lions are considered near-threatened. Ocean conservation keeps them—and countless other mammals—afloat.

© Steve Woods Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jun 8, 2024Confluence of Easter Creek and Killik River, Alaska, USA

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug 22, 2024Ocean City, Maryland, USA
Sep 11, 2023Sunrise at a vineyard in Bordeaux, France
Jul 12, 2024Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA
May 5, 2024Colonnade in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
Oct 7, 2025Autumn colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
Oct 15, 2025Amethyst laccaria mushrooms, Seabeck, Washington, United States
Sep 4, 2023Marshes of Bourges, France
Apr 8, 2025Piazza Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
Jun 23, 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh
Feb 4, 2025Golden Bridge, Bà Nà Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam
Aug 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Sep 18, 2024Gujō Hachiman Castle
May 26, 2025Hozugawa River in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
Feb 7, 2026Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia
Nov 30, 2023The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
Oct 19, 2023Castell y Gwynt, Snowdonia, Wales, United Kingdom
Dec 28, 2025Black-and-white ruffed lemur
Feb 20, 2024Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
Sep 12, 2023North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
Apr 12, 2025View from the cupola of the International Space Station
Oct 3, 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Jan 13, 2026Vale of Clwyd, Wales
Jun 12, 2024Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA
Feb 1, 2024Sassnitz lighthouse, Germany
Feb 10, 2025Art Installation of umbrellas, London, England
Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
Dec 1, 2025Natural arch carved in an iceberg, Antarctica
Feb 7, 2024St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
Sep 8, 2023The Circus, Bath, Somerset, England
Aug 8, 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina