Callorhinus ursinus
Northern fur seals have the thickest fur of any mammal, with about 300,000 hairs per square inch. They spend most of their lives at sea and are rarely seen near shore in BC. Once hunted extensively for their valuable pelts, populations have declined and they are now considered vulnerable.
Length
1.2-2.1 m
Weight
30-270 kg
Open ocean far from shore. Breed on remote islands in the Bering Sea. Pass through BC waters during migration.
Fish (especially pollock), squid, and crustaceans. Hunt mainly at night when prey comes closer to the surface.
Highly migratory, spending 10 months at sea. Can sleep while floating at the surface. Males are territorial during breeding season.
Marine Mammal
Eumetopias jubatus
Steller sea lions are the largest of all sea lions and the fourth largest pinniped in the world. Named after naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller who first described them in 1741, these impressive animals can be seen year-round on BC's rocky coastlines and are often heard before they're seen due to their loud, distinctive roars.
Marine Mammal
Zalophus californianus
California sea lions are the familiar "trained seals" of circuses and aquariums. These intelligent, playful pinnipeds are increasingly seen in BC waters as their range expands northward. Known for their barking calls and acrobatic swimming, they are highly social and often seen in large groups.