Galapagos Fur Seal

The western islands of the Galapagos Archipelago are where you'll often see Galapagos fur seals. They are native to the Islands and are listed as endangered by the IUCN due to their declining population size. They have a fur coat that is grayish-brown in color and are the smallest members of the otariid (ear seal) family. The species' adult males weigh 64 kg and measure an average length of 1.5 m. The average length and mass of the females are 1.2 meters and 28 kg, respectively.

They resemble the Galapagos sea lion in appearance, but there are certain crucial distinctions that allow you to tell them apart. Typically, fur seals have smaller, wider, and shorter skulls. Fur seals have protruding ears and eyes that are larger than those of sea lions, as well as larger front flippers that help them scale more difficult terrain. Their coat, which is significantly thicker than the sea lions, is likely the most noticeable difference.

Contrary to popular belief, the Galapagos fur seal population is actually rather comparable to that of the Galapagos sea lion. Simply said, tourists are less likely to observe them since they prefer shadier, rockier regions that are less likely to be visited by tourists.