Arctocephalus forsteri, sometimes called the Australasian fur seal or the New Zealand fur seal, is a species of
fur seal in the family Otariidae, the
eared seals. It is found mainly around southern Australia and New Zealand, in coastal waters and on offshore islands. The male of this species has an average mass of around 126 kilograms (278 lb) and a length of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in), while females are typically between 30 and 50 kilograms (66 and 110 lb), with a length of up to 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in).
Arctocephalus forsteri has a deeper and longer dive than any other fur seal, with males being able to descend to 380 metres and stay underwater for 15 minutes. It has a diet which includes
cephalopods, fish, and birds, and makes use of vocalisations and
olfactory recognition for communication. The population of the species has been significantly reduced by human activity, and it is protected by legislation in both Australia and New Zealand. This female
A. forsteri seal with a suckling pup was photographed at Admiral's Arch on
Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp
_female_with_suckling_pup_Kangaroo_Island.jpg)