New Zealand Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri)

New Zealand Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri (Lesson, 1828))

Scientific name: Arctocephalus forsteri (Lesson, 1828)
Common name: New Zealand Fur Seal
Other names: South Australian Fur Seal, Australasian Fur Seal, Antipodean Fur Seal, Long-nosed Fur Seal. Maori name : Kekeno.
French name: Otarie à fourrure de Nouvelle Zélande
Family: Otariidae
Size: Weight: 120 to 180 kg for males (maximum observed weight 250 kg) and 30 to 50 kg for females (maximum observed weight 90 kg); Body size: 1.5 to 2.5 m for males and 1 to 1.5 m for females.
Biotope: Rocky coasts protecting from big ocean waves, beaches with large rocks, ledges allowing easy access to the sea.
Food: Cephalopods, fish and a few birds.
Longevity : Up to 19 years for males and 25 years for females.
Geographic area: Southern and southwestern coasts of Australia, southern coasts of Tasmania, coasts of New Zealand especially on the South Island.

New Zealand Fur Seals have pointy noses, long whiskers and small ears.
There is strong sexual dimorphism. Males have massive necks and shoulders with longer hair forming a coarse mane.
Females, significantly smaller, have a more slender silhouette.
The adult coat is made up of two layers. The covering hairs, dark grey-brown in colour, become lighter on the underside of the body. The dark brown undercoat is much darker. The coat appears black when wet.
Males take over a territory which they defend and mate with 5 to 8 females. The breeding season is from October to January.
New Zealand Fur Seals can dive long and deep, 15 minutes and 380 meters for males and 9 minutes and 310 meters for females.