Seal: Artist and clever

The northern fur seal was discovered thanks to the Russian sea expedition, whose origins were still occupied by Emperor Peter the First. The study of the Far North-East of the empire, planned on the eve of his death, was embodied in two Kamchatka expeditions under the leadership of Vitus Bering. During the second expedition, as a result of the shipwreck, the sailors were forced to winter on the island, which later was called Bering. Assistant Bering George Steller, naturalist and physician, discovered on the island rookeries unknown animals. So the Europeans first learned what kind of beast is a fur seal. Later, Steller left records on which the famous Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus and classified an unknown northern animal.

It's hard to say why Steller decided to call these animals "seals". The sounds that they publish do not have a furry homemade pet with a purr of anything. Maybe their fur seemed Steller like a cat? Too hardly.

The fur seal belongs to the family of eared seals. It is a predatory animal, feeding mainly on fish. It is interesting that Steller's sea lions, also belonging to the family of eared seals, often compete with seals for coastal areas. The fact is that the periods of reproduction of those and others overlap, and at this time males arrange "clarification of relations", trying to push competitors from convenient places suitable for females with newborn babies. The sea lion is much larger, and in a one-on-one battle it will inevitably win. But the fur seal does not seek to fight. Using the fact that he is much more mobile, the cat collects relatives and they four or five of them attack the sea lion from different sides. In this case, it is difficult to predict the outcome of the bout. It often happens that the sea lion, pasuya before small and arrogant aggressors, leaves the disputed territory.

However, to say that the fur seal is small, it will not be entirely true. The body length of the male reaches two hundred and twenty centimeters, and the mass passes for three centners. The females are less massive: their "growth" is one hundred and forty centimeters, and the weight is not more than seventy kilograms.

The area of the fur seal is the northern part of the Pacific Ocean. Right after people got acquainted with this animal, hunting began. The object of lust was a valuable fur. In the middle of the eighteenth century, the number of seals was simply incredible. But people were too greedy. Hunting was conducted for centuries, and by the middle of the twentieth century the species was endangered. But, thank God, people suddenly realized. In 1957, the international convention on the protection of fur seals was adopted. Their livestock began to recover. Now fishing is conducted in very limited quantities. Many of the territories where previously there were numerous seals rookeries were emptied. In particular, the island of Tyuleni, which got its name precisely because of the great number of pinnipeds on it.

Seals are easily trained, so they are so popular with circus performers. These animals are natural balancers, and dexterously juggle at the circus arena with balls or any other objects. Perhaps, from the family of seals, the highest aikju has a fur seal. Photos of performances and attractions, where the main character is a cat, invariably show his high artistry and intelligence.