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Seals
Seals
The Australian Fur Seal is the largest of the fur seals. Males (bulls) are approximately 2 -2.3 metres long and weigh 218-360kg, and females (cows) approximately 1.5 metres long and 36-113kg.
Bulls are dark greyish-brown with a mane of coarse hair. Cows and immature seals are silver-grey to brown with a creamy yellow throat and chest.
They are called fur seals because they have two layers of fur: the outer layer of dark guard hairs has under it a lighter and dense layer of fur so thick that the skin stays dry even when the animal is underwater.
Australian Fur Seals belong to the group of seals called otariidae, or eared seals. They have external ear flaps. Their front legs are flippers and their hind legs are rear-facing, which means they can swivel under the body for rapid movement on land.
The seals moult, breed and rest on land, congregating on rock platforms, reefs, and rocky or pebbly beaches. They also use structures such as beacons and oil platforms as 'land' at sea
- Conservation Status
Protected
- Species Name
Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus
- Distribution
Waters of Tasmania, Victoria and Bass Strait, as far east as southern New South Wales and as far west as Port Fairy.
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