New Zealand Fur Seal

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia

Arctocephalus forsteri

New Zealand Fur Seals, also known as the Australian Fur Seal, are found in the waters of SA, WA, NSW, Tasmania and the coast of the South Island of New Zealand,.

They feed mainly on squid, octopus and schooling fish, with a small proportion of their diet also being made up of birds, including Little Penguins and shearwaters. They mostly feed at night, and rest during the day. Fishing trips may last for several days. .

Male New Zealand Fur Seals can dive as deep as 200 metres! Fur seals prefer haul out sites are on rocky outcrops, off shore islands, caves and rock platforms.

It is an ‘eared’ seal, as can be seen by its ear flaps. The bulls can weigh from120 to 180 kilograms and reach up to 2.5 metres in length, they are much larger than the cows, which are only 35 to 50 kilograms andgrow to only 1 to 1.5 metres in length.