The Galápagos fur seal, Arctocephalus galapagoensis, is the smallest of the eared seals and is endemic to the Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific. It shows the least sexual dimorphism of the otariids and has the lowest reproductive rate reported in seals, with pups nursed for eighteen months or longer. It feeds mainly on fish, squid and shellfish, close to shore and near the surface, mostly at night. About 30,000 animals were estimated around the late 1970s, but numbers have fallen since the 1980s through El Nino events, disease, invasive species and climate change. Ecuador has protected the species since 1934, and the IUCN classes it as endangered.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsClimate Change and Severe Weather 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Galápagos fur seal (Wikipedia)
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Arctocephalus galapagoensis (Animal Diversity Web)
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Arctocephalus galapagoensis (Animal Diversity Web)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Galápagos fur seal (Wikipedia)Article text, rangeQuote, Article text, range
the Galápagos fur seal has been protected by the Ecuadorian government since 1934
Sources
1. Galápagos fur seal (Wikipedia)
Article text, sys
It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific.
Article text, diet
The Galápagos fur seal feeds primarily on fish, squid and shellfish.
Article text, ext
It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific.
Conservation status, cons
Galápagos fur seals are classified as an endangered species
Population, trend
Galápagos fur seals have had a declining population since the 19th century.
Article text, hum
Thousands of these seals were killed for their fur in the 1800s by poachers.
Article text, threat
the biggest direct threats to Galápagos fur seals involve climate change
Article text, range
the Galápagos fur seal has been protected by the Ecuadorian government since 1934
Child Taxon Of: Arctocephalus, Lead, tax
is one of eight seals in the genus Arctocephalus
In Biome: Marine, Article text, biome
It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific.
In Group: Pinnipeds (Seals, Sea Lions and the Walrus), Article text, grp
is one of eight seals in the genus Arctocephalus
View the Source2. SeaLifeBase: Arctocephalus galapagoensis
SeaLifeBaseCITES statusQuote, CITES status
Appendix II: International trade monitored
3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Arctocephalus galapagoensis (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPhysical Description, range mass
27 to 64 kg
Behavior
Galapagos fur seals are nocturnal foragers
In Ecosystem: Galapagos, Geographic range
northern and western parts of the Galapagos Islands.
Child Taxon Of: Otariidae, Scientific Classification
Family Otariidae fur seals and sea lions
View the Source 4. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Arctocephalus galapagoensis
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolMaximum longevityQuote, Maximum longevity
In the wild, these animals have been estimated to live up to 22 years
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