A subantarctic fur seal (<i>Arctocephalus tropicalis</i>) photographed at Auckland Zoo in New Zealand
A subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) photographed at Auckland Zoo in New Zealand
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark

Fur Seals

Common Name:
Fur Seals
Scientific Name:
Arctocephalinae
Type:
Mammals
Diet:
Carnivore
Group Name:
Colony
Average Life Span In The Wild:
12 to 30 years
Size:
4 to 10 feet
Weight:
Up to 700 pounds

There are many species of seals named for the fine fur that makes them so attractive to hunters.

Different Fur Seal Species

The large northern fur seal, found in chilly northern waters, was hunted to near extinction during the 19th century. These animals were protected by law in 1911, and populations later rebounded to 1.3 million animals.

There are eight species of southern fur seals, all smaller than their northern relative. They include the Guadalupe fur seal of Baja California, the brown fur seal of southern Africa and Australia, and the South American fur seal.

Senses and Behavior

Fur seals have sharp eyesight and keen hearing. They have small ears, unlike the earless or hair seals.

Although they breathe air, seals are most at home in the water and may stay at sea for weeks at a time eating fish, squid, birds, and tiny shrimp-like krill. Fur seals may swim by themselves or gather in small groups.

Breeding Season

When breeding season arrives, however, these social animals gather on shore in very large numbers. Powerful males, known as bulls, establish territories and gather harems of up to 40 females, battling their rivals to establish dominance. During this season, coastlines are filled with roaring, growling, honking seals.

Female fur seals, or cows, give birth during this breeding season, then mate again just a few days later. The following year they will return to give birth to a single pup after a nearly yearlong pregnancy, and mate once again to continue the cycle.

Many fur seal populations have not rebounded from extensive hunting, and now face additional threats from climate change and overfishing, which can limit their prey.

This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.
This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.
Photograph by Davie Gan, National Geographic Your Shot

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