GALAPAGOS FUR SEA LIONS

This month, on the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, it’s mating season for Fur sea lions, a species that’s adapted well to its environment, only to narrowly avoid extinction by man. I’m Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet, presented by the American Museum of Natural History.

“Fur sea lions are these very furry animals that were almost killed to extinction up to the 1930’s for the Fur sea lion hunters.”

Ivonne Torres is a naturalist guide on the Galapagos Islands. She tells us that these days, the sea lions are protected in Galapagos National Park and their numbers are on the rise. Part of what makes them successful here is that same fur that once attracted hunters. It’s a thick, insulating coat which is made up of two layers of hair, one longer than the other.

“These fur sea lions live with their very thick fur that gives them the ability of keeping heat when they jump in the water and the long hair falls over the small one, leaving a layer of air that insulates them from the coldness or the heat of the water.”

Night vision is another Fur sea lion adaptation. It’s an ability that allows them to do their fishing in the evenings, saving the daytime for rest and play.

“These fur sea lions will be going to feed at night. And they have these Tapetum Lucidum in their eyes that help the little light that they get at night to be able to see better. They feed off silver fish that might be about three or four inches. And of course, they also feed of octopus if they can find them and things like that. They stay sleeping and stay in the water playing during the day and at night they go to feed.”

Pulse of the Planet is presented by the American Museum of Natural History. Additional funding for this series has been provided by the National Science Foundation. I’m Jim Metzner.

GALAPAGOS FUR SEA LIONS

Many of the Fur Sea Lion's adaptations have made them attractive to hunters, bringing these animals near to extinction.
Air Date:10/11/1999
Scientist:
Transcript:

This month, on the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, it's mating season for Fur sea lions, a species that's adapted well to its environment, only to narrowly avoid extinction by man. I'm Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet, presented by the American Museum of Natural History.

"Fur sea lions are these very furry animals that were almost killed to extinction up to the 1930's for the Fur sea lion hunters."

Ivonne Torres is a naturalist guide on the Galapagos Islands. She tells us that these days, the sea lions are protected in Galapagos National Park and their numbers are on the rise. Part of what makes them successful here is that same fur that once attracted hunters. It's a thick, insulating coat which is made up of two layers of hair, one longer than the other.

"These fur sea lions live with their very thick fur that gives them the ability of keeping heat when they jump in the water and the long hair falls over the small one, leaving a layer of air that insulates them from the coldness or the heat of the water."

Night vision is another Fur sea lion adaptation. It's an ability that allows them to do their fishing in the evenings, saving the daytime for rest and play.

"These fur sea lions will be going to feed at night. And they have these Tapetum Lucidum in their eyes that help the little light that they get at night to be able to see better. They feed off silver fish that might be about three or four inches. And of course, they also feed of octopus if they can find them and things like that. They stay sleeping and stay in the water playing during the day and at night they go to feed."

Pulse of the Planet is presented by the American Museum of Natural History. Additional funding for this series has been provided by the National Science Foundation. I'm Jim Metzner.