The Galapagos Fur Seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) is the smallest of all the pinnipeds. It breeds on the Galapagos Islands in the eastern Pacific - making it the only fur seal to breed in tropical waters.

The number of Galapagos Fur Seals successfully bred in a year is very sensitive to El Niño weather events. In the El Nino summers of 1982-1983 and 1997-1998 greatly increased infant mortality. Increased water temperature decreases the abudance of prey during these summers.

References

• Listed as Vulnerable (VU A2d v2.3)

Pinnipeds

Galápagos-Seebär | Galapagospälssäl