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 Concern80%
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.