Zalophus wollebaeki
Identification.
Smaller eyes than the fur seal, ears flatter and closer to the head, more social, commonly seen on beaches and piers.
Galápagos context.
Endangered despite how commonly it's seen - population figures vary, with roughly 50,000 commonly cited but real localized declines documented. El Nino events are the primary threat, crashing food supply and causing high pup mortality.
Encounter context.
Very comfortable around divers and snorkelers, often playful. Can dive up to about 10 minutes; predators include orcas and sharks. Standard diver guidance is to keep about 2m of distance.
Seasonality.
Present year-round.