Northern Fur Seal

Callorhinus ursinus

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Mammalia · Carnivora · Otariidae

About

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.

Fun Fact

Northern fur seals spend 7–10 months continuously at sea without ever touching land, sleeping by floating on their backs with one flipper raised above the water to regulate body temperature.

Quick Facts

Habitat

North Pacific waters

Diet

Piscivore

Lifespan

18-27 years

Threats

Human-Wildlife Conflict
Climate Change
Habitat Loss

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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