A medium-sized "eared seal" with thick under-fur historically prized for fur trade. Pribilof Island rookeries have been declining for unclear reasons since the 1990s.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The northern fur seal is an eared seal found along the north Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk. It is the largest member of the fur seal subfamily (Arctocephalinae) and the only living species in the genus Callorhinus. A single fossil species, Callorhinus gilmorei, is known from the Pliocene of Japan and western North America.
Source: Wikipedia — Northern fur seal Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Large fur seal with brown-black coat; rounded muzzle; large flippers.
Similar species. Other fur seals. California Sea Lion (different shape).
Voice. Various roars, growls, barks.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Fish, squid.
Behavior. Largest US fur seal. Pribilof Islands (Alaska) host the largest breeding colony (~70% of world population). Population has declined from 2.5+ million to ~1 million since 1950s.
§ Range
North Pacific
§ Habitat
Pelagic waters in winter; rookeries on Pribilof Islands, Alaska
§ Threats
Climate change affecting prey, entanglement in fishing gear, marine pollution.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern fur seal is currently classified as Vulnerable.
§ What helps
Buy MSC-certified seafood. Reduce ocean plastic. Don't buy fur products.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Northern fur seal
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Callorhinus ursinus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 3590
- iNaturalist · taxon 41817
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Callorhinus ursinus
§ Sources cited
- NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region
- National Park Service
- IUCN Red List 2016
