Northern Fur Seal

Habitat    Northern Fur Seals live in the open ocean. However, they also live on beaches on islands in the north Pacific and the Bering Sea when they are reproducing, resting, and molting. When they are breeding, these seals live together. They are found in Japan, along the west coast of North America to the United States and Mexican border. The seals can be found in these places in almost all the months of the year. In the Canadian west coast, females and almost fully grown males are usually found in the winter months. On occasion, they come inshore in British Columbia. They even come to Vancouver Island. So if you’re lucky, you might see a few on the south of Vancouver Island.

Food (Prey)   Northern Fur Seals eat fish such as walleye pollock, different species of squid, and herring. They are foragers. The seals’ prey change seasonally throughout the year. Differences in their diet also can occur depending on their habitat.

Predators   Sharks and orcas are known to eat Northern Fur Seals. Stellar sea lions prey upon young seals. Foxes are also known to eat them. The seals have strong front flippers that enable the seals to swim away from predators quickly.

Life Cycle  Male Northern Fur Seals live up to 18 years, whereas the females live up to 27 years. Bulls (male seals) start returning to the mating islands to defend their territories. Females start returning to the islands in late June.  Females aren’t picky about choosing males, but they are particular about the mating area. Bulls are 10 years old when they have their first pup. Females are 5 or 6 when they have their first baby. Females suckle the new-born young for 5 to 6 days, and then forage for fish and squid for their babies for 3 to 9 days. Pups leave the breeding sites before their mothers around 4 months of age. Baby seals are black until they are 3 weeks old, when they molt and become silvery gray.

Fun Facts   Northern Fur Seals are members of the “eared seal” family (Otariidae family). They were historically hunted for their long, soft fur until 1984, when commercial hunting of the seals was ended by the United States. The seals have good eyesight and sharp hearing. The population of these seals is 1.1 million globally today, but is declining.