South American Fur Seal

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Scientific Name: Arctocephalus australis

DID YOU KNOW?

  • South American fur seals have thick, luxurious fur with up to 300,000 hairs per square centimeter!
  • They are incredibly agile swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 20 km/h.
  • Males can be more than three times larger than females and develop a distinct mane.
  • They use their strong flippers to “walk” on land and navigate rocky shorelines.

EVERY SPECIES COUNT

South American fur seal populations are recovering from historic over-hunting, but they still face dangers including fishing net entanglement, pollution, and climate change.

Curious to Learn More?
Reach out to our Education Team at education@emiratespark.ae we’re happy to share more wild facts!

MY CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern 80%

HOW LONG DO I LIVE?

Wild: 15–20 years
Under human care: Up to 25+ years

WHERE DO I LIVE?

Coastal waters of South America, especially Peru, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina.

WHAT KIND OF EATER AM I?

Carnivores

WHAT’S ON MY MENU?

Fish, squid, krill, and crustaceans.

HOW MUCH DO I WEIGH?

Females: 30–60 kg
Males: 150–200 kg