Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of eared seal (a seal with visible external ear flaps) known for its thick, soft, and valuable underfur. This definition applies to species found in both the Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Pacific.

Usage

• The term fur seal specifically refers to seals prized historically for their dense underfur, which is distinct from the blubber-focused "hair seals" or true seals (phocids).
• It is used to describe the animal itself, both in biological contexts and in discussions about historical hunting and conservation.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The fur seal population on the island has recovered since hunting was banned.
  • Researchers are studying the migration patterns of northern fur seals.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in a compound noun form to specify a region or species, such as "Northern fur seal" () or "Antarctic fur seal" ().

Variants and Related Words

• Eared seal (n): The broader biological family (Otariidae) to which fur seals belong, which also includes sea lions. All fur seals are eared seals.
• Sealskin (n): The pelt or fur of a seal, especially from a fur seal, used for making garments.

Different Meanings / Contexts

1. Biological/Zoological Context: Refers to any species within the genera (Southern Hemisphere) or (Northern Hemisphere).
2. Historical/Commercial Context: Refers to the animal as a source of valuable fur, central to the 18th-19th century fur trade.

Synonyms

• Pinniped (n): A more general term for fin-footed marine mammals including seals, sea lions, and walruses. (Note: This is a broader category, not a direct synonym).

Notes

• A key distinguishing feature mentioned in definitions is the significant sexual dimorphism, where the male fur seal is much larger than the female.

Noun

1. eared seal of the southern hemisphere; the thick soft underfur is the source of sealskin
   • the male fur seal is much larger than the female
2. an eared seal of the northern Pacific