Northern Fur Seal
ExploreMammals
Northern Fur Seal
Callorhinus ursinus
Northern Fur Seals are playful and friendly animals. They love to swim and can often be seen basking on rocks in the sun.
Habitat: Open ocean and rocky shorelines
Appearance
The Northern Fur Seal has a sleek body covered in a very dense, dark brown to black fur, often with a paler chest. Males are much larger and possess a thick, shaggy mane around their neck. They are visually distinct from 'true' seals by having small, visible external ear flaps and powerful, rotating hind flippers.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyOtariidaeGenusCallorhinus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Newborn pups weigh just 5-6 kg, but grow super fast!
Their whiskers are super sensitive, helping them find prey in the dark!
These amazing seals can turn their back flippers forward to walk on land!
They spend 80% of their life at sea, rarely coming to land!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Swimmer
Northern Fur Seals can swim incredibly fast and gracefully using their large, paddle-like front flippers.
Ability
Deep Diver
Northern Fur Seals can dive over 200 meters deep to hunt for food because of their ability to hold their breath.
Ability
Built-in Warmth
Northern Fur Seals have incredibly thick, soft fur that traps air, keeping them warm in icy ocean waters.
Ability
Land Walker
Northern Fur Seals can turn their hind flippers forward, which helps them walk and climb on rocky land.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 140-210 cm
- Weight
- 40-270 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-25 years
- Top Speed
- 27 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 350-365 days
Diet & Feeding
These agile hunters love to eat fish and squid, diving deep to find their meals in the ocean.
Primary Foods
- Alaska Pollock
- Pacific Herring
- Capelin
- Squid
- Pacific Lamprey
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
eaten by
Orca
Orcinus orca
Apex predators that hunt seals.
eats
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopus
Preys on pups on breeding islands.
eaten by
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
A major food source for adult seals.
eaten by
Japanese Flying Squid
Todarodes pacificus
An important prey item for seals.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Whiskered
Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Alaska Fur SealPacific Fur Seal
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
While Northern Fur Seals are generally not dangerous, it's best to admire them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Northern Fur Seal?
140-210 cm
How much does Northern Fur Seal weigh?
40-270 kg
How long does Northern Fur Seal live?
20-25 years
How fast can Northern Fur Seal move?
27 km/h
What does Northern Fur Seal eat?
These agile hunters love to eat fish and squid, diving deep to find their meals in the ocean.
Where is Northern Fur Seal usually found?
Open ocean and rocky shorelines
How does Northern Fur Seal hunt?
Pursuit
How many babies does Northern Fur Seal usually have?
1
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