The Continental Channel Sea Bear (Marinuruka Canalus)

Sea bears are a notable family of pinnipeds found throughout the coasts of the northern continent. They are denoted by their hulking, wide frame, square jaw and muzzle, and beaver-like fur. These characteristics make them less specialized for swimming than other pinnipeds, but more capable of opportunistic landborne feeding behaviors.

Distribution

The continental channel sea bear is a species found along the coasts of said channel, from the shores of /awat/ to the southernmost points of the /nasfaqg/ territory. Crossing the channel along its width is sometimes done by sea bears seeking more plentiful food , but most of their migratory patterns see them move along the coasts, without getting too far from the land.

Appearance

Males are slightly smaller than females, though wider at the shoulder and presenting a larger jaw. Most adult specimens are around 1100 lb for males, and 1300 lb for females. The hairs of their fur are oily but longer and coarser than most seals', and more similar in appearance to a beaver's or at otter's. It also features a deep dark blue coloration spotted with lighter azure dots on their backs.

Reproduction

Sea bear females are renowned for giving birth to large litters of offspring, up to forty tiny cubs at a time, though their lengthy reproductive cycle, gestation period, and social structure results in normalized population growth rate. Indeed, the sea bear "band" tends to be composed of an alpha female, who is allowed to reproduce, a harem a males vying for mating rights with the alpha female, and a population attempting to enter one of the former groups.

Feeding

Fish, molluscs, birds, cephalopods and cetacean carcasses are all part of the opportunistic sea bear's diet, though if available they will readily gobble up fruits, seeds and other nutritious flora they might find near their landside nesting grounds. A subspecies native to Lorelei Island, a small country found off the southern coast of /vtai/+/waifu/, have evolved particularly powerful jaws and teeth better able to crush the shells of the native rock turtles, making them the main predators of the fearsome reptilian.