"'They're so big because they dive deep and they swim in much colder waters than even here in San Francisco Bay,' said Sheila Chandler, the Pier 39 harbor master."
"'He's so much bigger. He's literally twice the size of the biggest California sea lion that you can see out there,' Chandler noted about Chonkers' size and temperament."
"'They swim in waters from Japan all the way down the coast here, the Pacific coast,' Chandler explained, highlighting the wide range of Steller sea lions."
Chonkers, a Steller sea lion, has become a popular attraction at Pier 39 in San Francisco. Steller sea lions can grow up to 11 feet long and weigh as much as 2,500 pounds. They are adapted for colder waters, requiring significant blubber for insulation. Despite his size, Chonkers has shown a mellow demeanor and has not displayed aggression towards other sea lions. This species is known for its long-distance swimming capabilities, ranging from Japan to the Pacific coast of North America.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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