Brief Facts on NZ Fur Seals
Introduction
I am a frequent observer and photographer of fur seals and selions and do not claim in anyway to be an expert on them.
New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) are charismatic marine mammals that play a vital role in the coastal ecosystems of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and are frequently seen in our area (coastal Otago).
Appearance
Coloration: These seals exhibit a range of colors, from grey to brown, with a dark tan around their ears. When wet, their fur appears black.
Whiskers: Long white whiskers protrude from either side of their face.
Mane: A thick mane of long guard hairs covers their body.
Distinguishing features: Males have a pale muzzle, and both males and females have visible external ears.
Habitat and Range
Rocky Shores: New Zealand fur seals inhabit rocky shores around the mainland of NZ, Chatham Islands, and subantarctic islands.
Beyond Borders: Like human New Zealanders they can also be found in South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania.
Breeding Colonies: Breeding colonies occur as far north as the Coromandel Peninsula and as far south as the subantarctic islands. There are a number of colonies around Otago where we can see fur seals.
Diet and Foraging
Squid and Fish: These seals primarily feed on squid and small mid-water fish.
Larger Prey: They also consume larger species such as conger eels, barracuda, jack mackerel, and hoki.
Deep Divers: New Zealand fur seals dive deeper and longer than any other fur seal species, with some females diving deeper than 240 meters.
Life History
Social Creatures: These sociable animals spend time hauled out on rocky shores during both breeding seasons and non-breeding periods.
Vocalisations: Breeding colonies can get noisy, and fur seals make various vocalisations for communication.
Site Fidelity: They return to the same area each year for breeding, demonstrating remarkable site fidelity.
Conclusion
New Zealand fur seals are not only fascinating creatures but also important guardians of our coastal ecosystems.