if i see a bull stellar sealion in the water, and i go swim after it, will it attack me?

Answer 1

The Steller sea lion male has an average mass of around 1200 lbs, with massive musculature and huge, sharp teeth. It is a carnivore, and highly territorial.

And yet, people seem to get this idea that sea lions are completely harmless, and go wandering up to them on the beach, or even swim with them in the water.

A full grown polar bear is only about 1000 lbs, but no one would ever consider walking up to one to pet it. If you compare a polar bear and sea lion skull, they are very similar, differing mostly in the morphology of the back teeth (the polar bear has molars, while the sea lion has more sharp, canine like teeth ideal for catching fish).

While sea lions may not make a regular habit of eating critters as large as we are, it is important to remember that they are still very, very wild critters, and give them a healthy respect. Sure, they're beautiful and graceful (if a tad noisy), but they are fully capable of killing a human in amazingly quick order should they so desire. It's bad enough on a beach, but in the water where they are definitely more agile than us, it is extraordinarily dangerous.

Best to watch them from the deck of a boat, through binoculars. Leave the wildlife alone.

Here's a picture of Steller sea lion skulls: http://www.skullsunlimited.com/graphics/tq-53-53f-lg.jpg

And one of a polar bear skull: http://www.skullsunlimited.com/graphics/bc-100-lg.jpg

Neither one has teeth you'd really want grabbing your leg.

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

And another point - according to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is illegal to harass (which takes many shapes and forms) any marine mammal... and I would definitely consider chasing a sea lion harassment...
Not to mention, foolhardy and dangerous...

Answer 4

yeah, consdering theyre the largest in the world, even the juveniles can tear a human apart.