Inhabiting the Arctic Ocean and adjoining seas, the walrus is one of the northernmost pinnipeds. Walruses also have air sacs in their necks that can be inflated to aid them in floating. When sleeping in water, they may hook their tusks on ice floes for stability. Contrary to popular belief, walruses do not use their tusks for digging up clams. Rather, they suck them up with their vacuum-like mouths.
Fur seals have longer flippers and thicker fur than do sea lions.
The northern fur seal and Steller sea lion both occur in a great arc, from Asia across Alaska and south into California. Breeding grounds for both species include Alaska's Pribilof Islands, where they congregate by the thousands. This is the largest sea lion, males reaching weights of about a ton. This is the familiar seal of circus acts. This species inhabits the Galapagos Islands.