Once pushed to the brink of extinction by commercial hunting in the 19th century, this species now survives mainly on Guadalupe Island, off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, with smaller colonies on San Benito Islands and occasional sightings along the California coast. Their dense, dark brown to purplish-black coat is one of their most distinctive features, with a lighter, silvery underfur that historically made them a prime target for the fur trade.

By the late 1800s, they were thought to be completely extinct, victims of relentless sealing expeditions. In 1954, however, a small surviving colony was rediscovered on Guadalupe Island. Since then, conservation protections have allowed their numbers to slowly rebound, though the species is still classified as threatened. Today, their population is estimated at around 40,000 individuals, a dramatic improvement but still fragile compared to pre-hunting numbers. Their story stands as both a cautionary tale about human exploitation and a hopeful example of how wildlife can recover when given protection.

Guadalupe fur seals share traits with other fur seals, but they have some quirks of their own. They are excellent divers, plunging more than 250 meters (820 feet) below the surface to hunt for squid, lanternfish, and other deep-dwelling prey. They spend much of their time at sea, returning to land primarily for breeding and molting. The breeding season takes place in the summer, when males fiercely defend territories and gather harems of females. Unlike sea lions, which are often loud and boisterous, Guadalupe fur seals are relatively quiet, producing low growls and grunts rather than constant barking. Their thick fur and strong flippers also make them superbly adapted to life in cold, deep waters.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Mexico

2014

Guadalupe I., Baja California, Baja California Sur

United States

2014