Callorhinus ursinus

females: 40-50 kg (90-110 lbs), 142 cm long
males: 200-250 kg (450-600 lbs), 213 cm

females: 25 years
males: 17 years

females: grey-brown coat

males: black to reddish coat developing a lighter colored mane around 6 years of age

tightly rolled external ears and their ability to rotate their hind flippers forward distinguishes them from other seals. (This latter characteristic enables them to run or climb on land)

large, bare flippers which aid in regulating their body temperature, especially on land

dense fur covers the rest of the body and consists of approximately 46,500 hairs per square centimeter

fur is a mix of a permanent dense underfur and longer guard hairs which are molted once a year

large eyes allow them to see at night

to prevent water from entering while diving, fur seals are able to close their nostrils and their ears which have a narrow, waxy orifice

The main components of the northern fur seal's diet includes fish such as herring, anchovy, pollock and capelin, as well as squid

Fur seals feed mainly at night and may dive to depths of 600 feet (180 m) in search of small schooling fish and squid

live most of their lives in the open ocean

distribution ranges from the Bering Sea to the waters of northern Japan and southern California in the Pacific Ocean

breed on the Pribilof Islands, Commander Islands and Bogoslof Island

Pups born in July

Males fast during the breeding season, and can lose 20 per cent of their body weight during the 1 to 2 month period

Bulls breed for more than two seasons

The 2000 IUCN Red Data list (World Conservation Union) considers the northern fur seal to be Vulnerable

hunted for fur since the 18th Century