Home › Mammalia › Otariidae › Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)
Arctocephalus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Southeast Australia, around Victoria and Tasmania
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Rocky coastlines, islands, and sandy beaches for breeding
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Otariidae
GENUS
Arctocephalus
📋 Description
SIZE
Males 2.5 meters, 270 kg; females 1.5 meters, 70 kg
COLORATION
Dark brown to black, lighter underparts; silver-grey neck in males
ADAPTATIONS
Thick fur for insulation, strong flippers for swimming
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rocky coastlines, islands, and sandy beaches for breeding
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Southeast Australia, around Victoria and Tasmania
REPRODUCTION
Breeds in large colonies, pups born in summer
DIET DETAILS
Primarily fish, but also squid, octopus, and krill
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, food competition
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Deep Divers: Fur seals dive 200 meters, holding breath for 7 minutes to catch 10 kg of fish daily off Phillip Island, their flippers propelling at 30 km/h. Their 30,000-strong colonies thrive, though fishing nets entangle 1,000 seals yearly, prompting rescue efforts.
2
Harem Defenders: Males form harems of 20 females on Montague Island, their barks echoing 1 km to secure rocky beaches. Conservation at Lady Julia Percy reduces human disturbance, preserving their social structure and ensuring survival in southern waters.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Phillip Island in Victoria has Seal Rocks with boat tours and boardwalk for seal sightings
Montague Island in New South Wales off Narooma offers boat access for seal sightings in summer
Lady Julia Percy Island in Victoria near Portland provides boat trips for seal sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
September-March. Breeding season brings seals to coastal colonies for pupping.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Join boat tours at dusk to observe seals hauled out on rocks.
