Northern Fur Seal [Callorhinus ursinus]
Description
The Northern Fur Seal is a marine mammal that spends most of its life at sea, but returns to land or ice floes to breed and give birth. They are mostly found in the North Pacific Ocean, from southern California to the eastern coast of Russia. Adult males can grow up to 2.1 meters in length and weigh between 200-270 kilograms while females can grow up to 1.5 meters in length and weigh between 30-50 kilograms. They have a thick fur coat that keeps them warm in cold water, which was a reason for their population decline due to extensive hunting in the past. Northern Fur Seals primarily feed on squids and small fish.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Mammals
Mammalia
|
| Order |
Carnivorans
Carnivora
|
| Family |
Eared Seals
Otariidae
|
| Genus |
Northern Fur Seals
Callorhinus
|