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Arctocephalus

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Arctocephalus is a genus of eared seals, family Otariidae, known as the fur seals, containing eight currently recognized extant species, though the exact count remains debated given limited molecular data, distributed across the Southern Hemisphere around subantarctic islands, the southern coasts of Africa and Australia, the Galapagos Islands and South American waters. Its name means bear head; like other otariids it has external ear flaps and can rotate its hind flippers forward to move on land, and it is distinguished from sea lions chiefly by a dense fur coat, which historically made it a target of commercial hunting.

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