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The Galapagos fur seal is considered to be the less common variation of the Galapagos sea lion. Many people are shocked to learn that the two populations’ numbers are comparable. The fur seal is more picky, preferring gloomy and craggy coasts where explorers may have difficulty discovering them, whereas the sea lion will relax on any sunny beach it can find.
Finding them will only be possible with precise treks and coastal exploration. The islands of Isabela and Fernandina are home to the majority of the fur seal populations. Furthermore, tourists frequently confuse fur seals for sea lions because of their comparable physical characteristics. Nonetheless, like most Galapagos animals, the fur seal retains specific characteristics that set it apart.
Look—am I observing a water bear or a Galapagos fur seal?
Arctocephalus galapagoensis is the scientific name for fur seals, and it translates to “bear-headed.” This is an accurate description. The Galapagos fur seal resembles a little bear thanks to its short, pointed muzzle, small button nose, and huge black eyes. The most notable way to distinguish if from the Galapagos sea lion birth, its neighboring and closely related species, is by its bear-like appearance, showcasing the distinct characteristics of a seal vs a seal lion.
The fur seal is a pinniped closely related to the Galapagos sea lion, making it difficult to distinguish between the two despite their “seal” names. The coat is the main distinction. The coats of fur seals are noticeably thicker and contain longer guard hairs. In contrast, the fur seal has a shorter, wider head than the sea lion, with a considerably more pointed nose. In addition to having more noticeable ears, fur seals are typically smaller than sea lions. Galapagos sea lions are more significant than fur seals, and they differ in size overall as well.
Galapagos Fur Seal Facts: Show me some shade!
Fur seals have evolved several behavioral and physical adaptations to withstand the heat of the Galapagos Islands thanks to their thick coats. Fur seals must thermoregulate their body temperature to prevent overheating since they need to maintain an internal body temperature of about 37.7 °C. Mothers instruct their baby Galapagos fur seals to stay cool in tidal pools and under the shelter of rocks and cliffs. They can also discharge heat more effectively than sea lions due to their small size and capacity for sweating. By pumping more blood to the flippers to distribute heat when the animal is warm and less when it is cold, its circulatory system also helps the animal stay cool. Envision yourself sporting a furry coat on a warm, sunny day!
Behavior – look at me closely
Galapagos fur seal facts reveal that thirty percent of adult male fur seals perish annually in territorial clashes, a testament to their extreme territoriality. A male can reside in an area of approximately 100 to 200 square meters with his females, and he can mate with anywhere from six to sixteen of them. Males often stray into other people’s territory to find a female, and because it can be challenging to defend such vast areas, the males do it aggressively. Male fur seals invade their territory, threatening and engaging in combat with any other males that approach too closely. They will leave their home range once they are exhausted and have nowhere to live.
Breeding – just one baby Galapagos fur seal at a time
Between late September and early October, when the weather is more relaxed, and the water’s nutrition levels are higher, females usually give birth to a single pup. Of all fur seals, baby Galapagos fur seals have the most extended nursing season, which can last up to two years and occasionally even longer. The extended nursing period may serve as a mechanism to boost survival rates in times of scarcity, like El Niño. Because of this, females rarely give birth more frequently than every two years and very seldom do so while still nursing a pup. The mom can’t take care of two pups at once. Therefore, the second pup has little chance of survival and usually dies from siblicide or malnutrition.
Diving – we do it deeper!
The fur seal is a nocturnal predator that can dive to incredible depths to get its meal, usually small squid or fish. Longer dives can reach depths of more than 100 meters, whereas shorter dives typically fall between 10 and 50 meters. Studies have shown that females can dive to a maximum depth of 169 meters.
The feeding habits of fur seals appear to be highly sensitive to lunar cycles, as evidenced by the fact that they change according to the lunar month’s phase. During the full moon, all fur seals—including nursing females—feed far less. According to one study, foraging excursions took place between 50 and 70 hours during the new moon and only 10 to 20 hours during the full moon. This might be because their prey goes deeper underwater to avoid the light during a full moon, making them more conspicuous to predators.
Discovering Galapagos Fur Seals: Visit me at the Equator
The best places to go fur seal hunting on coastal exploration excursions are the islands of North Seymour, Floreana, Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago on Galapagos trips. Puerto Egas, Santiago Island, is the only place to stroll through a visitor center along the coast and see fur seals. Up north on Genovesa Island, fur seals can be routinely spotted snorkeling; the sheer cliffs near Prince Philip Steps provide easy access to their deep-water feeding area. Different exploration routes will take guests near the unusually cool locations where fur seals can be found.
