Antarctic Fur Seal
Arctocephalus gazella
Also known as: Kerguelen Fur Seal
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Nocturnal
Size
97.5 kg
About This Species
This eared seal breeds in dense colonies on sub-Antarctic islands, notably South Georgia, where bulls hold territories on beaches and females nurse pups through the austral summer between November and January. At sea it dives for krill and fish, often close to shore near breeding colonies, and can be seen hauled out on rocky or sandy beaches. The breeding season offers the most reliable and dramatic viewing, though large numbers of bulls can make colonies dangerous to approach.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Keep well back from breeding colonies and always maintain at least 5 to 10 metres from individual seals, more for bulls guarding territories or females with pups, which can move surprisingly fast and bite.
- Sub-Antarctic breeding sites such as South Georgia have specific wildlife regulations, including mandated minimum approach distances and biosecurity rules, that visitors must follow, and similar protections apply under the Antarctic Treaty system in areas further south.
- Never position yourself between a seal and the sea, and retreat immediately if an animal becomes agitated or moves toward you.
Seasonal Activity
196,136 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Otariidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Nocturnal
- Body mass
- 97.5 kg
Photo
(c) whale_nerd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by whale_nerd
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.