South American fur seal

Scientific name: Arctocephalus australis

Country: Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Falklands.

Continent: South America

Diet: Fish - piscivore, crustaceans - crustacivore, squid. In captivity they have whole or chopped fish, usually mackerel, with special "fish-eater" tablets containing supplementary vitamins and minerals which are necessary when using frozen fish.

Food & feeding: Carnivore

Habitats: Coast, Ocean

Conservation status: Least Concern

Relatives: Walrus, leopard seal, Californian sea lion

Description: The fur seals belong to the same family as sea lions (Otariidae, meaning eared seals). They are more agile on land than the 'earless' seals as they can move their hind limbs forward underneath their body which is raised as they move. Using their front and hind flippers alternately, they can move almost at a gallop on land. In the water, the front flippers are used in a rowing movement but the rear flippers are either not used at all or are used as a rudder. Fur seals also have a different type of coat from that of sea lions, having considerably more secondary hairs, forming a dense undercoat which effectively insulates the body. Other seals have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm, rather than a layer of "fur". Bulls grow to an average length of 1.9 m and a weight of150 kg, cows being considerably smaller at 1.4 m and a weight of only 50 kg.

Lifestyle: In the breeding season, this species prefers rocky coasts, where adults haul out onto the rocks. They are particularly numerous on the coast of Uruguay and numbers are stabilising or increasing in other areas since hunting has been controlled. When not at their breeding colonies, these superbly adapted marine mammals spend their time hundreds of miles from land chasing shoals of fish and small shrimps called krill. They can sometimes be seen in the open ocean breaking the water surface to breathe. Their natural enemies in the open ocean are sharks and killer whales.

Family & friends: Bull fur seals arrive at breeding sites first, establishing territories by fighting with neighbouring male fur seals. The females arrive a few weeks later and select a location above the surf zone to give birth to a pup. Males guard females choosing to occupy their territory and treat them as their harem. A male will continue to fight with neighbouring males to maintain the chance of mating with females in his territory. Some males do not hold territories and lurk on the edges of the colony, hoping to mate with females as they leave or enter the water.

Keeping in touch: Fur seals are very vocal. Adult males make a series of snarls and growls, issued as vocal warnings to neighbours. Pups make a bleating sound when they are alarmed or looking for their mother. Young males and females make a 'humph' sighing kind of sound, often while they play-fight on the rocks.

Growing up: The breeding season is between November and January in the southern hemisphere with the adult bulls defending their territories during this time. The gestation period can be nearly one year as the female can delay the time when the fertilised egg begins to develop into a baby (delayed implantation). Newborn seal pups weigh between three and five kgs and the females mate again just a few days after giving birth. Males are sexually mature at about seven years, the females at about three years.

Fur seals have double-layer coats. The fur that you see on the outside consists of long guard hairs, but that's only part of it. Beneath these hairs there are many much smaller, finer hairs that help trap insulating air near the skin and keep the seal warm in the water, it's a bit like wearing thermal underwear beneath a waterproof anorak.

Conservation news: Like all fur seals, this species was hunted almost to extinction for their rich, warm fur. Until very recently they were still being killed in Uruguay, but in 1991 the hunt was finally stopped. Another growing threat may be the reduction of fish stocks that the seals depend on, as a result of large-scale industrial fishing.

At Bristol Zoo Gardens, the seals enjoy the water in their award- winning enclosure. Training takes place to enhance animal husbandry and veterinary care. They are sometimes given ice blocks with frozen fish inside. The seals play with them as they melt and obtain the treat inside.