Brown fur seal
A species of Bear head, Also known as South african fur seal Scientific name : Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus Genus : Bear head
Brown fur seal, A species of Bear head
Also known as:
South african fur seal
Scientific name: Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus
Genus: Bear head
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Joachim Huber , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Brown fur seal exhibits two intriguing ecological behaviors: synchronous breeding and site fidelity. The former is seen when all adults mate within a short time period, while the latter refers to individuals returning to their natal breeding grounds year after year. These behaviors provide advantage in terms of reproductive strategy and survival in its native coastal ecosystems.
General Info
Lifespan
15-25 years
Diet
Brown fur seal is a carnivorous species with a focus on marine prey. Primarily eating fish and squid, it also consumes crustaceans and occasionally seals. This species selectively feeds, often choosing abundant, energy-rich food sources.
Appearance
Native to Southern Africa, brown fur seal is a medium-sized seal with a torpedo-shaped body that ranges from 120-200 cm in length. It's covered in dense fur that's brown-black, often with lighter undersides. Males possess a prominent mane of longer, darker fur. The most distinctive feature is their noticeably long, pointed muzzle.
Behavior
Brown fur seal is a colonial species known for its synchronized breeding and molting. They are highly coordinated swimmers and divers, feeding primarily on fish and squid at night. Typically, males establish and defend territories during mating season. Key survival behavior includes using their insulated coats for thermoregulation in their aquatic habitats.
Photo By Joachim Huber , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Mammals Order
Carnivores Family
Eared seals Genus
Bear head Species
Brown fur seal