Seals at Bay

The Australian Fur Seal, along with the Cape Fur Seal, is the largest of the fur seals. Males (bulls) are approximately 2–2.3 metres long and weigh 218–360kg, and females (cows) are approximately 1.5 metres long and 36–113kg. Bulls are dark greyish-brown with a mane of coarse hair. Cows and immature seals are silver-grey to brown with a creamy yellow throat and chest. They are called fur seals because they have two layers of fur: the outer layer of dark guard hairs is on top, with an undercoat so light, thick and dense that the skin stays dry even when the animal is underwater. Australian Fur Seals belong to the group of seals called otariidae, or eared seals. They have external ear flaps. Their front legs are flippers and their hind legs are rear-facing, which means they can swivel under the body for rapid movement on land.

March 15, 2015

  • Cuttlebone-Seal-at-play-in-seaweed

These gorgeous seals are a distinct memeber of Port Phillip bay, gentle inquisitive and playful, they make a freedive in the bay, so much fun.

Now protected, this species was hunted almost to extinction in earlier centuries. They are still at risk from humans, who sometimes (illegally) shoot them for bait, in the belief that they interfere with fishing operations, or to attract sharks for tourist viewing. They are also at risk from oils spills and entanglement in nets and other plastics dumped in waterways

This seal is found around the coast of south-eastern Australia in the waters off Tasmania, Victoria and Bass Strait, as far east as southern New South Wales and as far west as Port Fairy. They breed in colonies on rocky islands in Bass Strait. Two major breeding sites are Seal Rocks near Phillip Island and Lady Julia Percy Island, near Warrnambool.

The Australian Fur Seal, along with the Cape Fur Seal, is the largest of the fur seals. Males (bulls) are approximately 2–2.3 metres long and weigh 218–360kg, and females (cows) are approximately 1.5 metres long and 36–113kg.

Bulls are dark greyish-brown with a mane of coarse hair. Cows and immature seals are silver-grey to brown with a creamy yellow throat and chest.

They are called fur seals because they have two layers of fur: the outer layer of dark guard hairs is on top, with an undercoat so light, thick and dense that the skin stays dry even when the animal is underwater.

Australian Fur Seals belong to the group of seals called otariidae, or eared seals. They have external ear flaps. Their front legs are flippers and their hind legs are rear-facing, which means they can swivel under the body for rapid movement on land.

The seals moult, breed, and rest on land, congregating on rock platforms, reefs, and rocky or pebbly beaches. They also use structures such as beacons and oil platforms as ‘land’ at sea.

Tweet about this on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on Google+Pin on PinterestEmail this to someonePrint this page

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *