Comprising a group of nine species in the Otariidae family, fur seals are found in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Like sea lions, they have external ears and long fore-flippers. Their heavy coats, which keep them warm on deep dives and at cold weather haulouts, made them a popular target for hunters during the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Hunted nearly to the point of extinction in some places, these animals are beginning to make a comeback.
Fur Seal Facts
While most seals and sea lions stick faithfully to coastal haulouts and rookeries, fur seals tend to lead a pelagic existence; for much of the year, they take to the open sea, following fish, krill, and squid. This lifestyle is not without its risks; fur seals are often preyed upon by sharks, orcas, and sometimes even by large sea lions.
During the summer months, fur seals aggregate at beaches and rocky outcroppings, where they give birth to their pups and breed. The most dominant males are the most successful at mating with several females, but dominance varies between the northern and southern populations. Those in the north display aggression and defensiveness over females in their harems, while those in the south prefer to simply defend a territory, allowing females to come and go at will. In both populations, males go hungry throughout the mating season, preferring to defend their territories rather than to leave to hunt.
When pups are born, they are nursed continuously for several days, after which the females depart, leaving pups on their own for as long as several days at a time while they head out into open water to hunt.
There are several different species of fur seals found within the northern and southern populations. Some of the most notable, and those you may encounter most readily, include the following:
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Galapagos Fur Seal – Grayish brown in color, and the smallest members of the fur seal family, these seals are endemic to the Galapagos and at one time could not be found anywhere else on the planet, however a separate population has been recorded in Peru. During the day, you’ll see them napping on the beach; at night, they hunt, making dives as deep as 169 meters.
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South American Fur Seal – With relatively short snouts and pronounced ear flaps, these seals are usually grey to brown in color. Found throughout Peru, southern Brazil, the Atlantic Coast, and even at Cape Horn on the Pacific Coast, they can also be seen in places as unlikely as the Falkland Islands and Staten Island.
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Brown Fur Seal – Inquisitive and friendly, and known to enjoy the company of divers, these seals are also known to be terrified of people they see walking on shore. Found throughout Australia, New Zealand, Southwestern Africa, and Tasmania, these seals are capable of diving to depths beyond 200 meters. While their main predator is the great white shark, these fur seals are still hunted and their pelts are sold to the fashion industry. Luckily, the species is abundant enough to be listed as one of Least Concern on IUCN’s red list.
As these animals are often away from the places where they gather for a good portion of the year, and as their aggregations are seasonal, the best time to encounter them varies seasonally; you’ll want to find out as much as you can about a population you hope to dive with while you are still in the beginning planning stages of your dive holiday. Remember that fur seals, like other pinnipeds, are capable of delivering a mighty bite if harassed; keep your distance, and you’re certain to enjoy a memorable and exciting experience.