Family: Otariidae, Eared Seals view all from this family
Description Brownish gray above, with silvery cast on yellowish-gray “mane” on nape; brownish black below, with chest lighter in adult males. Snout pointed, rust-orange on sides. Flippers large. L male to 6’3” (1.9 m), female to 4’7” (1.4 m); Wt male to 350 lb (159 kg), female to 100 lb (45 kg).
Endangered Status The Guadalupe Fur Seal is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as threatened in California. The Guadalupe Fur Seal was nearly exterminated by seal hunters in the 1800s; by 1892 only seven individuals were known to exist. Although a fisherman sold two males to the San Diego Zoo in 1928, and one seal was seen on San Nicolas Island off southern California in 1949, very few were found until 1954 when 14 were sighted on Guadalupe Island, off Baja California. Mexico declared Guadalupe Island a seal sanctuary in 1975, and by 1987 the seal population numbered about 3,259 (including 998 new pups). Later counts indicate numbers around 6,000. A bull established a territory on San Nicolas Island in 1988 and returned there each year through 1991.
Similar Species Sea lions and Northern Elephant Seal are much larger and lack pointed snout. Harbor Seal is spotted. Northern Fur Seal lacks yellowish mane. Juvenile hard to distinguish from young California Sea Lion or young Northern Fur Seal.
Breeding Breeds June-July; 1 pup born late June-July of following year.
Habitat Rocky coastal islands.
Range California’s Channel Islands to Cedros Island, off Baja California (Mexico); recently know to breed only on Guadalupe Island, about 180 miles (290 km) west of Baja California.
Discussion The Guadalupe Fur Seal prefers a rocky cave for breeding. The bull apparently returns to the same territory year after year and has been known to remain there for a period of 35 to 122 days. While the bull will defend his territory, he occasionally oversees his harem from the water, unlike other eared seals. The vocalizations of this species are unique: The male has a low bark when he is on his territory and a growl, roar, or cough when threatening other males, and the adult female bawls when interacting with her pup. Guadalupe Fur Seals mate 7 to 10 days after the female gives birth to a pup conceived the previous year. The pup, born three to six days after the female leaves the water, can swim shortly after birth, although it does so only in emergencies. The female makes a series of two- to six-day foraging trips at sea, interspersing them with short visits ashore to suckle her pup. This seal’s diet includes squid and lantern fish. The female and her pup may stay on the breeding territory until the next spring.
