Northern Fur Seal

Northern fur seals are marine mammals that thrive in the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean. Known for their thick fur, which can have up to 300,000 hairs per square inch, they were heavily hunted in the past for their pelts. Today, they are protected under international law.

These seals are highly agile swimmers, capable of diving to depths of over 200 meters (650 feet) to hunt fish and squid. On land, they gather in large colonies during the breeding season, where males establish territories and compete for harems of females. Northern fur seals are vulnerable to climate change and overfishing, which depletes their food sources.