New Zealand fur seals
New Zealand fur seals, known scientifically as Arctocephalus forsteri, are a species of eared seal native to the waters and beaches surrounding New Zealand. These large, robust animals are characterized by their grayish fur, small rolled ears, and a layer of blubber that helps them maintain body heat in colder waters. Males typically reach lengths of 4.5 to 8 feet and can weigh between 265 and 400 pounds, while females are smaller, averaging around 4.5 feet in length and weighing about 120 pounds.
Population estimates suggest there are between 30,000 and 50,000 of these seals in New Zealand. Their diet primarily consists of squid, barracuda, surface fish, and octopus, and they have been known to prey on penguins in southern regions. The breeding season occurs from November to January, during which males establish harems and females give birth to a single pup after a gestation period of about a year. Pups are nursed for approximately 11 months, and each mother has a unique call that helps her locate her pup among others. New Zealand fur seals are protected by law, with hunting prohibited since around 1916, and they typically have a lifespan of around 25 years. These seals exhibit social behaviors, often found in groups, particularly during breeding periods.
Subject Terms
New Zealand fur seals
It has been illegal in New Zealand to kill New Zealand fur seals since about 1916. Most Australian fisherman also follow that New Zealand law.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Pinnipedia
Family: Otaridae
Genus: Arctocephalus
Species: Forsteri
New Zealand fur seals are large, pudgy looking animals. They have grayish color fur and tail fins that help them swim in water and balance on land. They also have two flippers which they use to propel them through the water when they are swimming and to help them balance when they are on rocky beaches. New Zealand fur seals are eared seals. That means they have small rolled ears that stick out on both sides of their heads. Like all eared seals, New Zealand fur seals have a layer of fatty tissue, called blubber, located right under their skin. This fat is used to keep the animals warm in colder waters and acts as a storage place for food. Male New Zealand fur seals grow to be between 4 1/2 and 8 feet (1 1/4 to 2 1/2 meters) long and weigh between 265 and 400 pounds (120 to 180 kilograms). The females are smaller and lighter. They grow to be only about 4 1/2 feet (1 1/4 meters) long and weigh only about 120 pounds (54 kilograms).
There are between 30,000 and 50,000 New Zealand fur seals living in the waters and on the beaches of the islands off the coast of New Zealand.
New Zealand fur seals eat squid, barracuda, surface fish, and octopus. On the islands farther south they have also been seen killing penguins. New Zealand fur seals often travel in small groups or alone. Eared seals are often found where the ocean current brings fish and other sea life up to the top of the water.
Because the eared seals are social breeders, the breeding grounds are very lively places during the breeding months. Often the males will fight with each other for mates. Successful breeding bulls, or males, have harems, or groups of female mates. Mating season for New Zealand fur seals takes place from November through January. They have a gestation period (duration of pregnancy) of about one year. The female then gives birth to one pup, young seal. Many of the pups are born in December. Shortly after the pup is born, the female mates again. She nurses that pup for about 11 months. During this time the female makes many trips out to sea to find food for herself. When she comes back from one of her trips to sea, she finds her pup among the hundreds of others by yelling out her special pup-attraction call. The pup will recognize its mother's call, and respond. That pup is weaned off of his mother's milk before she gives birth to her next pup.
New Zealand fur seals protect themselves from predators such as human hunters, large sharks, killer whales, leopard seals, and polar bears by finding secure breeding grounds on land.
New Zealand fur seals have a life span of about 25 years.