Arctocephalus Callorhinus Fur seals are any of nine species of pinnipeds belonging to the subfamily Arctocephalinae in the family Otariidae.

Along with the Phocidae and Odobenidae, ottariids are pinnipeds descending from a common ancestor most closely related to modern bears (as hinted by the subfamily Arctocephalinae, meaning "bear-headed").

Until recently, fur seals were all grouped under a single subfamily of Pinnipedia, called the Arctocephalinae, to contrast them with Otariinae – the sea lions – based on the most prominent common feature, namely the coat of dense underfur intermixed with guard hairs.

They share with other otariids the ability to rotate their rear limbs forward, supporting their bodies and allowing them to ambulate on land.

In water, their front limbs, typically measuring about a fourth of their body length, act as oars and can propel them forward for optimal mobility.

They are extremely sexually dimorphic mammals, with the males often two to five times the size of the females, with proportionally larger heads, necks, and chests.

The southern group includes Antarctic, Galapagos, Guadalupe, Juan Fernandez, New Zealand, brown, South American, and subantarctic fur seals.

Colonies of fur seals can be seen throughout the Pacific and Southern Oceans from south Australia, Africa, and New Zealand, to the coast of Peru and north to California.

Typically, fur seals gather during the summer in large rookeries at specific beaches or rocky outcrops to give birth and breed.

The northern fur seals begin their breeding season as early as June due to their region, climate, and resources.

Males typically do not leave their territory for the entirety of the breeding season, fasting and competing until all energy sources are depleted.

During foraging trips, most female fur seals travel around 200 km from the breeding site, and can dive around 200 m depending on food availability.

The remainder of the year, fur seals lead a largely pelagic existence in the open sea, pursuing their prey wherever it is abundant.

The hunters reported being able to club the unwary animals to death one after another, making the hunt profitable, though the price per seal skin was low.

[5] The average lifespan of fur seals varies with different species from 13 to 25 years, with females typically living longer.