Northern Fur Seal

About this species

Size

Females about 1.5m; males about 2.1m

Weight

Females up to 64kg; males up to 272kg

Diet

Midwater fish and squid

Habitat

Open North Pacific and island breeding beaches

The northern fur seal is an eared seal with a pointed muzzle, visible external ears, long foreflippers and exceptionally dense underfur. Adult males develop a thick neck and shoulders and are far larger than females. Females reach roughly 1.5 m and 64 kg, while males can approach 2.1 m and 272 kg. Colour varies from grey-brown to nearly black, and the long flippers distinguish its silhouette from true seals (NOAA Fisheries species account).

Northern fur seals spend most of the year at sea and return to rocky or sandy island beaches to breed, rest and moult. They feed opportunistically on midwater fish and squid. Territorial males defend breeding space, while nursing females alternate periods ashore with feeding trips at sea. Their winter distribution spreads widely through the North Pacific into East Asian waters. The account is species-wide; no Korean breeding colony or dependable shore-viewing location is claimed without a Korea-specific source (NOAA Fisheries species account).

Description: Wildlife of Korea guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com)