Long-nosed Fur Seal

Overview

The long-nosed fur seal, also known as the New Zealand or Australasian fur seal, is an eared seal native to southern Australia and New Zealand. As a member of the family Otariidae, this species is distinguished by its ability to walk on all fours using its muscular flippers and by possessing visible external ear flaps.

Distribution & Habitat

This species inhabits the coastal environments of southern Australia and New Zealand, frequently utilizing rocky shores, island coastlines, and boulder-strewn beaches for breeding and hauling out. Individuals often disperse widely across southern oceanic waters outside of the primary reproductive season.

Appearance

Recognizable by a distinctly pointed, long snout lined with long whiskers, this seal has a streamlined body covered in a dense underfur layer beneath coarse guard hairs. Coat coloration typically ranges from dark brown to greyish-black on the dorsal side, often appearing lighter around the chest and neck.

Biology & Behavior

Like other eared seals, they are highly mobile on land due to their rotatable hind flippers. They spend considerable periods foraging at sea and are capable of deep, prolonged diving to locate prey.

Feeding

Their diet primarily consists of marine prey, including various species of fish, cephalopods such as squid and octopus, and occasionally pelagic crustaceans captured during deep foraging dives.