South American fur seal

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

Male South American fur seals measure 1.8 meters and weigh up to 200 kilos. Females are much smaller; measuring 1.4 meters and weighing 60 kilos.

Adult males are dark grey and females are a slightly lighter shade.

Breeding groups are normally established in rocky places, in Peru the species breeds also in huge sea caves. In November, the adult males move to the "rookeries" to establish territories, which they actively defend against rival bulls. The females give birth in November or December. A territorial bull establishes a harem of up to 15 females, with which he mates about 5 to 6 days after they have given birth.

The newborn pup has a body-weight of 3 to 5 kg. It is born black and gains adult colouration after abouth three months. It suckles for 6 to 12 months, and learns swimming before the age of two months.

The diet of South American fur seals consists of a wide variety of fish, squid and, in some parts of its range, krill (Euthusia sp.).

Did you know?
that females mate soon after pupping, and then spend much of their time at sea, returning only every few days to suckle their pups?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	CARNIVORA
Suborder	PINNIPEDIA
Family	OTARIIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Arctocephalus australis
Name (English)	South American fur seal
Name (French)	Otarie à fourrure australe
Name (German)	Südamerikanischer Seebär
Name (Spanish)	Lobo marino de dos pelos
Local names	Other Spanish names: Lobo fino austral, Lobo marino peletero Portuguese: Lobo marinho
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Appendix II

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Yummifruitbat

Distribution

Distribution
Range	South America, southwestern Atlantic and southeastern Pacific region: Brazil from Rio de Janiro on southwards, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Falkland/Malvinas Islands.
Habitat	Primarily in coastal, continental shelf and slope waters and on rocky shores.
Wild population	Approx. 250,000-300,000 (Red List IUCN 2011)
Zoo population	30 reported to ISIS (2007)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 76 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

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Cape

Why do zoos keep this animal

South American fur seals are exhibited in many zoos and aquariums because of their naturally inquisitive nature and their ability to playfully interact with other animals, humans and their surrounding environment. This connection allows the zoos and aquariums an excellent opportunity to educate their visitors about the role these animals play in the natural environment. Importantly, any animal presentations should convey a strong conservation message that benefits the entire species of fur seals.

Although the species is not threatened in the wild, a coordinated breeding programme has been established in Europe with a view of maintaining a self-sustaining ex situ population.

How this animal should be kept

WAZA is currently looking into the possibility of developing global standards for marine mammals. The following should therefore be considered as preliminary information:

Although a marine species, the South American fur seal can be kept in freshwater pools if necessary. The water should be of good quality, and must either be filtered or replaced at appropriate intervals.

A pool for up to five adult South American fur seals must have the following dimensions: a minimum surface of 100 m² and an average water depth of 2 m, i.e. a water volume of 200 m³. For each additional adult animal, the water surface must be increased by 15 m², and the water volume accordingly.

The land part of the enclosure should have a size of 10 m² per adult animal.

South American fur seals should be fed at least twice per day. The diet consists of sea fish, such as herring or mackerel, of good quality. The fish should be supplemented with vitamins, in particular vitamin B1.

Regular training or other forms of behavioural enrichment are essential.