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The Galapagos Fur Seal 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
- Randall R. Reeves, Brent S. Stewart, Phillip J. Clapham and James A. Powell (2002). National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN 0375411410.
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