Fur seals

Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) breed mainly on subantarctic islands south of the Antarctic convergence including the South Orkney and South Shetland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, Bouvet Island, Iles Kerguelen, and Heard Island, with only three colonies (on Marion Island, Iles Crozet, and Macquarie Island) lying north of the convergence.

At Macquarie Island three species of fur seal occur: Antarctic fur seals and subantarctic fur seals which both breed there and New Zealand fur seals which occur in large numbers but do not breed.

Pups are born from late November to early January and are suckled for about 4 months.

At Heard Island the population is increasing. In 1992 there were about 250 pups born at Heard Island, and by March an influx of adult males and juveniles increased the numbers to over 21,000 fur seals.

Fur seals at South Georgia feed mainly on krill while at Heard Island and at Macquarie Island they feed mainly on fish, and some squid.

At South Georgia, females dive to around 30m but can exceed 100m, remaining submerged for 2 to 5minutes.

Adult males can weigh up to 200kg, adult females weigh about 40 kg, and pups weigh between 3 and 7 kg at birth.

Male Antarctic fur seals establish territories through fighting with other males. The dominant bulls control a portion of a beach from the waters edge to the vegetation behind. Territorial bulls give off a strong sweet musk odour during the breeding season.

Female Antarctic fur seals are not gathered into the harems as elephant seals are. Females are gregarious and choose the best beach site on dry shingle. Males actively discourage females moving to other territories.

In the last century fur seals were killed for their skins, and many populations were wiped out. The first pups born post-sealing were reported from Maquarie Island in 1955 and from Heard Island in 1963. Today fur seals can become entangled in marine debris such as polypropylene packaging bands, nylon string and fishing nets.

Links

Taxonomic information on the Antarctic fur seal

Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) projects relating to Fur Seals

Australian Antarctic publications relating to Fur Seals

See more information on the Australian Antarctic Research Biology program

Unusual Seals