Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi) are one of eight members of the fur seal genus Arctocephalus. They are the northernmost member of this genus. Sealers reduced the population of these fur seals to just a few dozen by the late 19th century, but the species had recovered to 10,000 in number by the late 1990s.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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MolluscivoreA molluscivore is a carnivorous animal that specializes in feeding on molluscs such as gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, and cephalopods. Known mo...
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PiscivoresA piscivore is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. Piscivorous is equivalent to the Greek-derived word ichthyophagous. Fish were the die...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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SemiaquaticSemiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withAdult Guadalupe fur seals are dark brown or dusty gray with yellowish silver manes, called guard hairs, on the back of the neck. Males are much larger and heavier than females. Additionally, males usually have a larger head and are lighter brown in color. Guadalupe fur seals have distinctive ear flaps and large flippers for walking on land, confirming that they are not phocids (true seals) but are more closely related to sea lions. Guadalupe fur seal pups are born with black coats similar to those of adults, but it is difficult to distinguish juvenile Guadalupe fur seals from juveniles of California sea lions and Northern fur seals due to physiological similarities.
Guadalupe fur seals breed along the eastern coast of Guadalupe Island, approximately 200 km (124 miles) west of Baja California. In addition, individuals have been sighted in the southern California Channel Islands, including two males who established territories on San Nicolas Island. Stray seals have been found as far north as Oregon. Guadalupe fur seals don't migrate and spend most of their time in the open ocean. When on land they prefer shores with large rocks and caves where they can hide for protection and from midday heat.
When at sea, Guadalupe fur seals are generally solitary. They commonly hunt at night in shallow water (maximum depth of 76 meters (250 feet)) and forage for about 2 weeks before returning to land. When resting in the water they keep their heads submerged and hind flippers sticking out. The seals that do not breed often play with each other by barking, lunging at each other, and pushing each other into the water. They also wave their hind flippers in the water whilst face down in the water. Additionally, when interacting with humans, these seals are not typically aggressive. They are often seen with their heads under the water and pay little attention to the observer.
Guadalupe fur seals are carnivores (piscivores, molluscivores) and mainly feed on squid, mackerels, and lanternfish.
Guadalupe fur seals are polygynous and males can mate with up to 12 females during mating season. Breeding occurs from May through August. Adult males set up territories that they defend through aggression and vocalizations. The tenure of territorial males lasts from 35 to 122 days. Births occur from mid-June through mid-July, though most births take place in June. Females give birth to a single pup which they nurse for 8-10 days. In the 9 months following the birth, females alternate between spending 9-13 days foraging food for and spending 5-6 days nursing pups. After this period, the pups are considered adults and are on their own. Mothers and pups recognize each other by unique noises and smells.
The major cause of the Guadalupe fur seal's decline was commercial hunting in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The species was exterminated in southern California waters by 1825. Commercial sealing continued in Mexican waters through 1894. Guadalupe fur seals are also threatened by the entanglement in fishing gear, oil spills, and noises from coastal development. Storms and hurricanes also cause high pup mortality.
According to The Marine Mammal Center, the total population size of the Guadalupe fur seal is approximately 34,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are increasing.
