Steller sea lion; northern sea lion
Refers specifically to the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), a large sea lion found in the North Pacific.
Along the coast of Hokkaido, Steller sea lions can sometimes be seen in winter.
トドはアシカ科の中でも特に大型の種だ。
The Steller sea lion is a particularly large species among the eared seals.
アザラシ is an earless seal, while トド (Steller sea lion) is a large eared seal in the アシカ family, not a true seal.
Katakana spelling is standard for this animal name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling is also used, though katakana is more common.
Rare kanji spelling; 海馬 is more commonly read かいば (seahorse) or うみうま (sea horse).
Very rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Very rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
The origin of the word トド is uncertain. It may be from Ainu or another indigenous language of northern Japan, but the exact derivation is unclear.