Punch the monkey, Moo Deng the pygmy hippo, and Pesto the penguin. Every now and then, an animal goes viral and captures the internet’s attention with their unbearable cuteness, tragic backstory, or — in Pesto’s case — their unusual proportions. The most recent animal to reach celebrity status fits into the latter camp.
In March 2026, Chonkers the sea lion took up residency at San Francisco’s PIER 39 K-Dock, where he wowed visitors and dwarfed the other residents. This discrepancy in size can largely be put down to the fact that they are completely different species. While the majority of pinnipeds on the dock are California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Chonkers is a Stellar (or northern) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), a species that is roughly three times as large as the former.
In fact, Stellar sea lions are the largest sea lion species. The heftiest males can reach lengths of 11 feet and weights of 2,500 pounds.
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What Do We Know About Chonkers?
Chonkers was first spotted on 13 March this year, though it may not have been his first trip to the pier.
“This Stellar hauls out at K-Dock every few years,” Sheila Chandor, PIER 39’s Harbor Master, said in a statement at the time. “He’s an incredible sight.”
Still, Chonkers’ arrival was noteworthy. While Stellar sea lions are occasionally known to visit the pier — such as one that made local news in 2023 — they are a much rarer sight than the more plentiful California sea lions.
There are two populations of Stellars: the western population, which remains endangered, and the eastern population, which has experienced greater recovery. Chonkers is most likely a member of the eastern group, who inhabit the U.S. and Canadian coasts. According to officials from The Marine Mammal Center, an animal hospital and research center, he may have been drawn to the area by the abundance of food in San Francisco Bay, which has seen large runs of forage fish this spring.
But at least for now, it appears as though the appeal of PIER 39 has gone. Officials from The Marine Mammal Center told Discover that Chonkers has not been seen at the dock since May 1, 2026. It is not known whether he left to pursue food sources in other areas or to find a mate for the breeding season, which begins mid-month.
There has, however, been an imposter who has been confusing visitors at the pier since his departure. The pretender is a large male California sea lion and, at an estimated 600 to 800 pounds, much smaller than the original.
California Sea Lions Versus Stellar Sea Lions
A key difference between the two species is their size. While California sea lions surpass the average human, reaching lengths of 6 feet (females) and 7.5 feet (males), they appear relatively puny when compared to their larger relatives, according to NOAA. Adult Stellar sea lions can grow up to 9.5 feet (females) and 11 feet (males). The latter are also much heavier, weighing up to 800 pounds (females) and 2,500 pounds (males), compared to the former’s 240 pounds (females) and 700 pounds (males), according to NOAA.
Adult male Stellars can also be identified by the thick fur that covers their neck and resembles a lion’s mane. The distinctive feature is responsible for the name “sea lion.”
One thing they do have in common is their propensity to seek physical contact. According to officials from The Marine Mammal Center, both species have been seen cuddling, piling together, and maintaining contact at the pier.
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Article Sources
Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:
- This article uses information from NOAA: Stellar Sea Lion
- This article uses information from NOAA: California Sea Lion
- This article uses information from the Marine Mammal Center
