Callorhinus ursinus
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Definition
Noun 1. A species of eared seal: Callorhinus ursinus is the scientific name for the northern fur seal, a marine mammal. It is an eared seal (otariid), distinguished by its thick fur, external ear flaps, and ability to walk on all fours using its flippers.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The Callorhinus ursinus colony on the Pribilof Islands is one of the largest in the world.
- Researchers are studying the migration patterns of Callorhinus ursinus.
- Commercial hunting severely impacted populations of Callorhinus ursinus in the 19th century.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Context: The term is primarily used in academic, zoological, and conservation contexts. In general English, the common name "northern fur seal" is almost always preferred.
- The paper compared the thermoregulation of Callorhinus ursinus with that of other otariids.
Variants and Related Words
- Northern fur seal (n): The common English name for .
- Fur seal (n): A general term for several species of eared seals in the genera and , prized for their dense underfur.
- Otariid (n): A member of the Otariidae family, the eared seals, which includes fur seals and sea lions.
Synonyms
- Northern fur seal: This is the direct and most common synonym in non-scientific language.
Notes on Meaning
- Specificity: refers specifically to one species. It is not a general term for all fur seals, which belong to multiple species and genera.
- Geographic Range: As indicated in the reference context, this species inhabits the northern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the waters off Alaska down to California.
Noun
- of Pacific coast from Alaska southward to California