Callorhinus+ursinus

= = Northern Fur Seal

Genus: Callorhinus Species: ursinus Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Otariidae
 * Animal Classification **

In 2003 the Northern Fur Seal was placed under the Endangered Species Act due to a significant drop in its pup population. There was an approximate 50% drop just in the Pribilof Islands alone and there continues to be a 6-7% decrease every year which made them be considered "vulnerable".
 * Endangered Species Act **

This kind of sea lion can be found throughout most of the northern Pacific Ocean, as far south as the California area, and throughout the western area such as Japan. Although they spend most of their life at sea, they breed along the rocky coastlines close to the edge of the continental slope (for example: the Pribilof Islands and the Commander Islands). The Pacific Ocean ranges in temperature from freezing to approximately 86 °F. Its salinity varies depending on the distance from the equator. The water close to the equator tends to be less salty than that found anywhere else due to equatorial precipitation throughout the year. The water in the Pacific moves counter-clockwise in most of the Southern Hemisphere, whereas it moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
 * Habitat **

After breeding, the Northern Fur Seal leaves the shore area around November and won't return ashore again until the cycle renews. Male pups and female fur seals will most likely travel south and range from Southeast Alaska to the California area. The last time it was counted, the total population of this seal was an estimated 666,000. In 2008, the count for Northern Fur Seal pups born was approximately 121,000. The Northern Fur Seal doesn't have a long lifespan, they grow to be about 26 years of age. In 1999 however it was studied that the actual maximum longevity may around thirty years old.
 * Migration Patterns **
 * Population **

The overall population of the fur seal has been decreasing since 1998. Although scientists have still not found the reason for this, they believe it is due to them getting stuck in marine pollution and debris, disease, a new development in parasites, and predation.
 * Survival Trends **

Generally speaking, sea lions are larger than fur seals, although they both possess the ablitiy to move their rear limbs forward which allows them to travel on all fours. The Northern Fur Seal, especially males, have a mane which is similar which is similar to the mantle of some squirrels. Males are about 210 cm long on average and weigh an estimated 180-270 kg. Females are smaller, about 140 cm long and weigh in at 43-50 kg. When they are born, females are 63 cm long and weigh 4.5 kg whereas males are 66 cm and weigh 5.4 kg. When pups are born they are usually al black in color with a little bit of white. Male Northern Fur Seals vary in color from grey to a reddish brown to black and females have a reddish brown ventral side and a silvery dorsal side. **
 * <span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Physical Appearance

<span style="color: rgb(0,0,128); font-family: '-webkit-sans-serif';">The breeding season begins in June and continues throughout July, no females breed in winter. The fur seal breeds on land, usually rocky shores. After pups are born, the adult females return to sea and return to nurse pups. Males will compete with other males aggressively, although mostly it's not lethal competition, to mate with a female fur seal. Fur seal milk is composed of 44% fat, 42% water, and 14% protein. After the adult female begins nursing the pups, the percentage of fat in their milk decreases. While growing up, nearly half the amount of pups die in the first year after being born.
 * <span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Reproduction **

<span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0,0,128); font-family: '-webkit-sans-serif';">The Northern Fur Seal has tighly rolled external ears, such as that of a sea lion. They can walk on land due to their ability to move forward their rear flippers. Also, it's been discovered that the fur seal's rear flippers are much more dense than their front flippers. It has a thick layer of fat (also known as blubber) to protect itself and keep warm. Its wiskers in the facial area help the Northern Fur Seal with its sense of touch. Although they have pretty decent eye sight, they cannot see in color, only black and white. A male fur seal is naturally much larger and heavier than a female fur seal.
 * <span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Anatomy and Physiology **

The Northern Fur Seal consume about ten percent of their weight just by eating fish alone and are considered opportunistic feeders. Among these fish are mackerel, pollack, lantern fish, cod, herring, squid, and hake. 69% percent of all their dives for food, whether they are shallow or deep, occur at night. The main predators of the Northern Fur Seal are killer whales, some species of sharks, foxes, and some other types of sea lions. To escape being killed by these marine mammals, they escape to land.
 * <span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Food Chain **

Fur seals used to be thought to have a negative impact on humanity because they were believed to alter the income of fisheries. They are also important to the economy because we hunt them to take their fur and also as a food source for some people.
 * <span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Economic Importance

<span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Threats Back in the 1700s, inhabitants of Alaska would hunt and kill the Northern Fur Seal to harvest its fur. After the Alaskan Treaty was in place, they could only hunt young males who were on land. Nowadays, the only threats they face besides predation are their decrease in population through breeding declines.

<span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Conservation Efforts In 2004 it was placed on the IUCN Red List and was considered "vulnerable".

<span style="color: rgb(253,161,13);">Solutions ** To protect the Northern Fur Seal I think the best possible solution is to reduce marine pollution. Secondly, it would help to put an end to Global Warming so they can remain comfortable in their habitat. Also, to make their population prosper rather than decline, people shouldn't hunt them for their fur or use them as a source for food.

<span style="display: block; font-size: 150%; color: rgb(253,161,13); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; background-color: rgb(0,0,128); text-align: center;">Pictures <span style="display: block; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0,0,128); font-family: '-webkit-sans-serif'; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0,0,128); font-family: '-webkit-sans-serif';">

<span style="display: block; font-size: 150%; color: rgb(253,161,13); background-color: rgb(0,0,128); text-align: center;">Works Cited

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