where do fur seals live

Full Answer

What kind of habitat do seals live in?

Northern fur seals primarily inhabit two types of habitat: open ocean and rocky or sandy beaches on islands for resting, reproduction, and molting. Northern fur seals seasonally breed on six islands in the eastern North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea in the United States—St.

Where are fur seals found in the world?

Habitat Of the fur seal family, eight species are considered southern fur seals, and only one is found in the Northern Hemisphere. The southern group includes Antarctic, Galapagos, Guadalupe, Juan Fernandez, New Zealand, brown, South American, and subantarctic fur seals.

Do seals have fur or furless?

The environments the seals live in will typically determine the amount of fur the species of seal has, for example, seals that live in the Arctic need more fur than seals that live in the Atlantic ocean. Most of the seals live in Arctic water so rely on their fur to keep them warm.

What is the typical structure of northern fur seal terrestrial habitat?

The typical structure of northern fur seal terrestrial habitat includes the central area occupied by breeding males with females, surrounded by territorial adult males without females on the fringe, non-territorial adult males, and juvenile males on haulouts outside the breeding areas.

Where are fur seal found?

In the winter, the southern boundary of the northern fur seal range extends across the Pacific Ocean, between southern California and Honshu Island, Japan, but they are found as far north as the Bering Sea. In the spring, most northern fur seals migrate north to breeding colonies in the Bering Sea.

Do fur seals live in Antarctica?

Location: Antarctic Fur Seals are widely distributed in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic Convergence. Most of the population breeds on South Georgia but also on other sub-Antarctic islands.

What biome do fur seals live in?

The Australian Fur Seal can be found in coastal waters and oceans. They prefer rocky islands, boulder and pebble beaches and rocky ledges for resting and breeding. The Australian Fur Seal can be found around the islands of the Bass Strait, southern Victoria and parts of Tasmania.

What do fur seal eat?

Although they breathe air, seals are most at home in the water and may stay at sea for weeks at a time eating fish, squid, birds, and tiny shrimp-like krill. Fur seals may swim by themselves or gather in small groups.

Do fur seals live in the Galapagos?

World Range & Habitat Galapagos fur seals, Arctocephalus galapagoensis, are the smallest of the pinnipeds and live only around the Galapagos Islands. This species does not seem to share territory or food with the other pinniped species in the islands such as the Galapagos sea lions.

Do fur seals live in the Pacific Ocean?

Habitat/distribution: Most northern fur seals occur in the North Pacific Ocean during the winter and spring, and migrate to breeding islands in the Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk and California in the spring.

What is the biggest seal in Antarctica?

Southern elephant sealsSouthern elephant seals are the largest species of seal on the planet and a highlight among Antarctica cruise wildlife. You can most often see southern elephant seals along the Antarctic coastline, dozing in the sun, nursing their pups, or swimming in the waters just off shore.

Do seal eat penguins?

Antarctic fur seals typically eat krill, fish, squid and the occasional bird—including penguins.

Can fur seals live in freshwater?

Will the freshwater be harmful to the fur seals? No, many species of seal live in freshwater, and some species that are mostly marine enter rivers.

Why is a fur seal not a sea lion?

Sea lions have a longer nose with their eyes set futher back in their heads while Fur seals have a shorter nose with the eyes closer to the nose. The ear flaps on Fur seals are larger and sticking father out from the head then Sea lions, and their flipper are proportionally longer on Fur seals then Sea lions.

Is a fur seal a sea lion?

Are seals and sea lions the same animal? Technically, they are in the same taxonomical suborder of pinnipeds (Pinnipedia), which comprises seals, sea lions, and walruses. But seals and sea lions are in different taxonomical families owing to some key anatomical differences.

Are fur seals friendly?

This species is an inquisitive and friendly animal when in the water, and often accompanies scuba divers. They swim around divers for periods of several minutes at a time, even at a depth of 60 m. On land, they are far less relaxed and tend to panic when humans come near them.

Are seals friendly?

Wild seals are not friendly towards humans, but they've got used to human presence as they are often fed, so they've become neutral. However, despite their friendly-looking appearance, seals can be dangerous to humans, and because of that, they should be treated with caution like every other wild animal.

What are 5 interesting facts about seals?

15 Fun Facts About Seals to Celebrate International Seal DaySeals Are Part of the Pinniped Order of Marine Mammals. ... Seals Prefer Cold Sea Waters. ... In the Wild, Grey Seals Can Live for Up to 35 Years. ... Seal Species Come in Different Sizes. ... Some Seal Species Feed off Fellow Seals!More items...•

Is a Galapagos fur seal a sea lion?

The Galapagos fur seal and the Galapagos sea lion are actually quite closely related, and come from the same family: “Otariidae” which means “eared seal”. The Galapagos fur seal belongs to a genus of fur seals called Arctocephalus (or Arctophoca), meaning bear-headed.

What is the name of the island where the fur seal was born?

Reproduction. Galápagos fur seals live in large colonies on the rocky beaches of the Galápagos Islands. These colonies are then divided into territories by the male seals during breeding season, which is mid-August to mid-November, with a peak in late September and early October.

Are fur seals endangered?

Not extinctFur seal / Extinction status

Do sea lions eat fur seals?

Fur seals, in turn, are preyed upon by sharks, orcas, and occasionally by larger sea lions. These opportunistic mammals tend to feed and dive in shallow waters at night, when their prey are swimming near the surface.

Are NZ fur seals sea lions?

New Zealand fur seals can be distinguished from sea lions by their pointy nose and smaller size. In New Zealand, fur seals also tend to be found on rocky shorelines, whereas sea lions prefer sandy beaches. This pointy-nosed seal has long pale whiskers and a body covered with two layers of fur.

Why is it called fur seal?

Europeans first named northern fur seals "sea bears." In fact, their scientific name, Callorhinus ursinus, means "bear-like." This is likely due to their thick fur coat, which is so dense that it has 300,000 hairs per square inch.

How many species of fur seals are there in the world?

There are eight species of southern fur seals, all smaller than their northern relative. They include the Guadalupe fur seal of Baja California, the brown fur seal of southern Africa and Australia, and the South American fur seal.

How long do seals live?

Average Life Span In The Wild: 12 to 30 years. Size: 4 to 10 feet. Weight: Up to 700 pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man: There are many species of seals named for the fine fur that makes them so attractive to hunters.

Is the Antarctic fur seal cute?

“It is, of course, important to maintain some academic separation from your study subject as a scientist," says wildlife biologist Douglas Krause, although he concedes: "But there's no getting around the fact that Antarctic fur seals are ridiculously cute.”

Do seals give birth?

Female fur seals, or cows, give birth during this breeding season, then mate again just a few days later. The following year they will return to give birth to a single pup after a nearly yearlong pregnancy, and mate once again to continue the cycle.

Do fur seals have ears?

Fur seals have sharp eyesight and keen hearing. They have small ears, unlike the earless or hair seals. Although they breathe air, seals are most at home in the water and may stay at sea for weeks at a time eating fish, squid, birds, and tiny shrimp-like krill. Fur seals may swim by themselves or gather in small groups.

How long do Antarctic fur seals live?

Antarctic Fur Seal Males tend to live about 15 years, while females live to about 25 years on average.

Where do brown seals live?

Brown fur seals prefer to haul out and breed on rocky islands, rock ledges and reefs, and pebble and boulder beaches. However, some large colonies can be found on sandy beaches. Fur seals spend most of the year at sea, but are never too far from land.

Why is a fur seal not a sea lion?

Sea lions have a longer nose with their eyes set futher back in their heads while Fur seals have a shorter nose with the eyes closer to the nose. The ear flaps on Fur seals are larger and sticking father out from the head then Sea lions, and their flipper are proportionally longer on Fur seals then Sea lions.

Is a fur seal a sea lion?

Sea lions and fur seals (seals with thick fur that are more similar to sea lions than to true seals) are lumped together in the family Otariidae. True seals, on the other hand, are in the family Phocidae.

Do fur seals live in Antarctica?

The breeding range for Antarctic fur seals is restricted mainly to seasonally ice-free islands near the Antarctic Polar Front. More than 95% of the species breed near the coast of South Georgia.

How long does a fur seal live?

As fully grown adults, female Australian fur seals weigh in at 50-120kg, while the males can reach as heavy as 220-360kg, often two to three times the size of the female. Fur seal life span averages 12-30 years.

Do fur seals eat penguins?

Antarctic fur seals typically eat krill, fish, squid and the occasional bird—including penguins.

Where are the fur seals found?

Eight species belong to the genera Arctocephalus and Arctophoca and are found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, while a ninth species also sometimes called fur seal, the northern fur seal ( Callorhinus ursinus ), belongs to a different genus and inhabits the North Pacific.

What family is a fur seal in?

Fur seal ranges. Fur seals and sea lions make up the family Otariidae. Along with the Phocidae and Odobodenidae, ottariids are pinnipeds descending from a common ancestor most closely related to modern bears (as hinted by the subfamily Arctocephalinae, meaning "bear-headed"). The name pinniped refers to mammals with front and rear flippers.

What is a fur seal?

Fur seals are any of nine species of pinnipeds belonging to the subfamily Arctocephalinae in the family Otariidae. They are much more closely related to sea lions than true seals, and share with them external ears ( pinnae ), relatively long and muscular foreflippers, and the ability to walk on all fours.

How long do fur seals gestate?

All species are polygynous, meaning dominant males reproduce with more than one female. For most species, total gestation lasts about 11.5 months, including a several-month period of delayed implantation of the embryo. Northern fur seal males aggressively select and defend the specific females in their harems. Females typically reach sexual maturity around 3–4 years. The males reach sexual maturity around the same time, but do not become territorial or mate until 6–10 years.

How are fur seals different from sea lions?

Along with the previously mentioned thick underfur, fur seals are distinguished from sea lions by their smaller body structure, greater sexual dimorphism, smaller prey, and longer foraging trips during the feeding cycle. The physical appearance of fur seals varies with individual species, but the main characteristics remain constant.

How big are fur seals?

They are extremely sexually dimorphic mammals, with the males often two to five times the size of the females, with proportionally larger heads, necks, and chests. Size ranges from about 1.5 m, 64 kg in the male Galapagos fur seal (also the smallest pinniped) to 2.5 m, 180 kg in the adult male New Zealand fur seal . Most fur seal pups are born with a black-brown coat that molts at 2–3 months, revealing a brown coat that typically gets darker with age. Some males and females within the same species have significant differences in appearance, further contributing to the sexual dimorphism. Females and juveniles often have a lighter colored coat overall or only on the chest, as seen in South American fur seals. In a northern fur seal population, the females are typically silvery-gray on the dorsal side and reddish-brown on their ventral side with a light gray patch on their chest. This makes them easily distinguished from the males with their brownish-gray to reddish-brown or black coats.

What are the two genera of fur seals?

For these reasons, the distinction remains useful. Fur seals comprise two genera: Callorhinus, and Arctocephalus.

Where do fur seals breed?

The Pribilof Islands support the largest aggregation of northern fur seals, which breed on St. Paul, St. George, and Sea Lion Rock (about half of the world's northern fur seal population). Non-breeding northern fur seals haul-out on Walrus Island and Otter Island which are also part of the Pribilof Islands.

How many fibers does a Northern Fur Seal have?

Northern fur seals have a stocky body, small head, very short snout, and extremely dense fur (46,500 fibers/cm²) that ends at the wrist lines of their flippers. Their flippers are the longest in the Otariidae family. Their hind flippers can measure up to one-fourth of their total body length.

Why are Northern fur seals hunted?

Northern fur seals were hunted and killed for their fur. Throughout history, there have been many treaties and management measures put into place to manage and protect this species.

What are the contaminants that affect the food chain of Northern Fur Seals?

Contaminants can enter the ocean and subsequently affect the food chain of the northern fur seal. Contaminant studies on northern fur seals have shown exposure to various toxic substances and evidence of accumulation in various tissues. Contamination sources can include oil and gas development, industrial runoff, vessel discharge, microplastics, vessel grounding, and oil spills. These contaminants have the potential to affect the immune, digestive, or endocrine systems of northern fur seals, leaving them more susceptible to disease and reducing their survival and reproduction.

How much do male fur seals weigh?

Males can grow to 7 feet and weigh up to 600 pounds, while females can grow to 5 feet and weigh up to 120 pounds.

How long do seal pups stay away?

Weaned pups typically spend nearly 2 years away before returning to their breeding colonies. Northern fur seals primarily use open ocean for foraging and rocky beaches for resting, molting, and reproduction. Historically, northern fur seals were hunted for their fur on land and at sea.

What is the behavior of Northern Fur Seals?

Northern fur seals are a highly pelagic (live in the open ocean), are thought to be mostly solitary at sea, nocturnal species. They are known to be aggressive on land, especially during the breeding season. Adult males forcefully defend their breeding territory site. Male to male aggression is most frequently used in defense of territories and consists of pushing and biting, sometimes to the death. Female to female aggression is frequent but mild (open mouth threat). Intense female to female aggression (biting and pushing) is rare.

How long do fur seals live?

Antarctic Fur Seal Males tend to live about 15 years, while females live to about 25 years on average.

How big are fur seals?

Name: Antarctic Fur Seal ( Arctocephalus gazella) Length: 2 metres. Weight: 90 to 215 kg, males being larger. Location: Antarctic Fur Seals are widely distributed in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic Convergence. Most of the population breeds on South Georgia but also on other sub-Antarctic islands. Conservation status: Least Concern.

How much krill do fur seals eat?

Krill makes up about 95% of an Antarctic Fur Seal’s diet. They’ll eat about a ton of krill a year. The deepest known dive of an Antarctic Fur Seal sits at 180 metres, the longest dive lasting about 10 minutes. The average foraging dive lasts about 4 minutes at goes to a depth of about 30 metres.

What is the densest marine animal in the world?

The area is rich in krill – a major source of nutrients for a wide array of marine life. The population of Antarctic Fur Seals on South Georgia Island is the densest marine animal population on the planet. Antarctic Fur Seals are one type of nine species of Fur Seals that exist worldwide.

What color are fur seals?

Diet: Krill, squid, fish, penguins. Appearance: Antarctic Fur seals are usually brown in coloration with a slightly more light brown or grey tone in newly molted juveniles and females. They are in the family of Otariidae ...

Why did the fur seal population bounce back?

The near extinction of another animal – baleen whales – may be the main reason the diminutive Antarctic Fur Seal population bounced back, because there was a huge reduction in competition for krill.

Where did the Antarctic fur seal get its name?

7 Attractive Antarctic Fur Seal Facts. Antarctic Fur Seals got their scientific name gazella from the German vessel SMS Gazelle which was the first to collect the Seal from Kerguelen Island. Unlike some other species of Seals Antarctic Fur Seal have visible ears.

Fur Seal Description

Fur seals are a type of eared seal that is found in the southern hemisphere. They get their name from their thick fur coats, which help to keep them warm in their cold water habitat. Fur seals are relatively small, with adults ranging in size from four to six feet long and weighing up to 400 pounds.

Fur Seal Habitat

Fur seals are found in the Southern hemisphere including Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa. Fur seals prefer to haul out on rocky shores or ice rather than sandy beaches. Fur Seal habitat typically has an abundance of food resources as well as access to deep water for foraging trips.

Fur Seal Diet

Fur Seals are opportunistic feeders and their diet depends on what is available to them. They primarily eat fish, but they will also eat squid, crustaceans, and seals. Fur Seals typically hunt at night when their prey is most active. During the day, they sleep on land or in the water.

Fur Seal Size

Fur seals are medium-sized pinnipeds that can be found along the coasts of the North Pacific and South Atlantic oceans. Male and female Fur Seal generally have similar body sizes, with males typically ranging from 1.8 to 2.4 m in length and females from 1.6 to 2.1 m.

Fur Seal Lifespan

Fur seals are a type of pinniped, which is a mammal that has fin-like forelimbs and no hind limbs. Fur seals are found in the Southern Hemisphere and spend most of their time in the water. The two main types of fur seals are the Antarctic fur seal and the subantarctic fur seal.

Fur Seal Behavior

Fur seals exhibit a wide range of behaviors, both on land and in the water. They are very agile on land, using their front flippers to move around. In the water, they are equally at home, using their back flippers to swim gracefully through the waves. Fur seals are also known for their vocalizations, which they use to communicate with one another.

Fur Seal Speed

Fur seals are able to swim at high speeds for long periods of time. In fact, their top speed is around 30 miles per hour. But they are not just fast in short bursts; they can sustain their speed for extended periods of time. One study found that a fur seal was able to swim at 10 miles per hour for over two hours.

What is a female seal called?

Adult males are called bulls and females are called cows, while a young seal is a pup. Immature males are sometimes called SAMs (sub-adult males) or bachelors.

Do seals have predators in Antarctica?

Do Antarctic Fur Seals have any natural predators? Antarctic Fur Seals are hunted by Sharks, Killer Whales, and the pups are vulnerable to Leopard Seals.

What's the difference between fur seals and sea lions?

Difference in fur So what's the major difference? FUR! The northern fur seals at the Aquarium generally have a darker color to their fur than the sea lions. When they are wet, fur seals look black, while the sea lions look brown.

Where do seals go at night?

How do seals sleep. Seals sleep in the water as well as on land. In the water, they sleep floating in a standing position, like a fishing bobber, or floating horizontally on the surface. Because they are sleeping and not actively swimming, they can stay under water much longer than when hunting for food.

Why do fur seals smell?

Martin Stoffel, lead author from Bielefeld University says: "Our results are surprising for a marine animal that spends more than 80% of its time at sea. They show that fur seal pups smell similar to their mothers as many of the chemicals on their skin are shared and genetically encoded.

Are fur seals true seals?

Fur seals are any of nine species of pinnipeds belonging to the subfamily Arctocephalinae in the family Otariidae. They are much more closely related to sea lions than true seals, and share with them external ears (pinnae), relatively long and muscular foreflippers, and the ability to walk on all fours.

How fast do fur seals swim?

These seals are mostly solitary when at sea, but may form foraging groups of 2-4, swimming at speeds up to 15 miles per hour.

Are Seals Actually Furry?

Seals inhabit the coldest oceans on our planet and therefore need their fur to protect them from these icy waters.

How Else Do Seals Stay Warm?

As well as a coat of fur to help keep seals warm, they also have a thick layer of blubber that insulates them from the cold.

Do Seals Have Fur Or Hair?

The primary difference between hair and fur is simply the use of the words. The hair of non-human mammals is referred to as ‘fur’, whilst humans are said to have hair.

What Type Of Seals Are Furry?

All species of seal have fur in order to keep them warm in the cold oceans, but some species are particularly furry.

Final Thoughts

So, are seals furry? Yes, seals rely on their fur in order to stay warm in the cold waters that they live in. They also have a thick layer of blubber that insulates them too.

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Hi, I’m George – the founder of MarinePatch. I created this blog as marine wildlife has been my passion for many years and I’ve spent decades learning and dedicating myself to documenting all I can about the topic.

Overview

Habitat

Of the fur seal family, eight species are considered southern fur seals, and only one is found in the Northern Hemisphere. The southern group includes Antarctic, Galapagos, Guadalupe, Juan Fernandez, New Zealand, brown, South American, and subantarctic fur seals. They typically spend about 70% of their lives in subpolar, temperate, and equatorial waters. Colonies of fur seals can be seen throughout the Pacific and Southern Oceans from south Australia, Africa, and New …

Taxonomy

Physical appearance

Behavior and ecology

Population and survival

See also

Further reading