The smallest member of the fur seal family and one of the rarest pinnipeds in the world. Endemic to the Galápagos Islands, this elusive marine mammal is often overshadowed by its louder cousin, the Galápagos sea lion, but it’s just as fascinating in its own right. These fur seals are more secretive and tend to avoid human interaction, preferring the shady crevices of rocky coastlines and lava caves where they can rest during the heat of the day. With their large eyes, short snouts, and thick fur coats, Galápagos fur seals have a more “teddy bear” appearance than sea lions — and they rely on that dense fur to keep warm during cool nights and dives.

Unlike sea lions, fur seals have thicker fur and rely more on their coat than body fat for insulation. Their fur is so dense that water doesn’t even reach their skin when dry — a trait that made them heavily targeted in the past during the fur trade. They are mostly nocturnal feeders, often hunting at night to avoid the heat of the day. Their diet consists mainly of fish and squid, using their big, dark eyes to spot food in dim light.

Galápagos fur seals are social animals, forming colonies where individuals pile up in tight groups to rest, raise pups, and groom each other. Males are territorial during breeding season, defending stretches of rocky shoreline and harems of females. Pups are born after an 11-month pregnancy and nurse for well over a year — one of the longest maternal care periods among pinnipeds.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Ecuador

2014

Galápagos

Mexico

2014

Seasonality Uncertain