Fur Seal
Arctocephalus sp.
Where is it found?
Rocky shores and islands
Diet and foraging method
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Fur seals dive beneath the surface of the water in pursuit of prey.
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Key adaptations
Males are much larger than females, as they fight with other males to defend their territories. Fur seals have slits for nostrils that naturally close when underwater. They also have large eyes to help see when swimming underwater. They have special under-fur that is waterproof and helps regulate their body temperature. Strong front flippers help them swim in the water, but also help them move across land.
Social organisation and mating system
Solitary in winter
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Form large groups during the breeding season. Each large group of females - or harem - is monopolised by the strongest male in the area that successfully out fights all his rivals.
Did you know that...?
Seals use the same naming as cows, with males being called bulls and females called cows.
Taxonomy
Picture credits:
Maps from: http://species.mol.org/species/
"Galápagos fur seal (4229129006)" by Peter Wilton - Galápagos fur sealUploaded by Magnus Manske. Licenced under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gal%C3%A1pagos_fur_seal_(4229129006).jpg#/media/File:Gal%C3%A1pagos_fur_seal_(4229129006).jpg
"Southern Fur Seal" by Damien Naidoo - Own work. Licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southern_Fur_Seal.jpg#/media/File:Southern_Fur_Seal.jpg
"Galápagos fur seal (4229129006)" by Peter Wilton - Galápagos fur sealUploaded by Magnus Manske. Licenced under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gal%C3%A1pagos_fur_seal_(4229129006).jpg#/media/File:Gal%C3%A1pagos_fur_seal_(4229129006).jpg
"Southern Fur Seal" by Damien Naidoo - Own work. Licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southern_Fur_Seal.jpg#/media/File:Southern_Fur_Seal.jpg
