Seals Resting
by Robert Bales
Title
Seals Resting
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Fur seals are any of nine species of pinnipeds in the Otariidae family. One species, the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) inhabits the North Pacific, while seven species in the Arctocephalus genus are found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. They are much more closely related to sea lions than true seals, and share with them external ears (pinnae), relatively long and muscular foreflippers, and the ability to walk on all fours. They are marked by their dense underfur, which made them a long-time object of commercial hunting,
Typically, fur seals gather during the summer months annually in large assemblages at specific beaches or rocky outcrops to give birth and breed. All species are polygynous, meaning dominant males reproduce with more than one female. For most species, total gestation lasts about 11.5 months, including a several-month period of delayed implantation of the embryo. While northern fur seal males aggressively select and defend the specific females in their harems, males of southern species of fur seals tend to protect spatial territories, and females are free to choose or switch their mates according to their own preference or social hierarchy. After several continuous days of nursing the newborn pups, females go on extended foraging trips that can last as long as a week, returning to the rookery to feed their pups until they are weaned. Males fast during the reproductive season, unwilling to leave their females or territories.
Uploaded
March 22nd, 2013
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Viewed 921 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/23/2024 at 12:04 PM
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Comments (3)
Linda Phelps
L Very nice image of the seals sunbathing. I like the clear view of the seal on the top of the rock and the way it is looking at the camera. Thank for the interesting description of seals.
Robert Bales replied:
You are very welcome Linda and thanks you for the great reviews and the Like!!