South American Fur Seal Arctocephalus australis sat observing

The fur seals belong to the same family as sea lions (Otariidae, meaning eared seals). They are more agile on land than the 'earless' seals as they can move their hind limbs forward underneath their body which is raised as they move. In the breeding season, this species prefers rocky coasts, where adults haul out onto the rocks. They are particularly numerous on the coast of Uruguay and numbers are stabilising or increasing in other areas since hunting has been controlled. When not at their breeding colonies, these superbly adapted marine mammals spend their time hundreds of miles from land chasing shoals of fish and small shrimps called krill. They can sometimes be seen in the open ocean breaking the water surface to breathe. Their natural enemies in the open ocean are sharks and killer whales. Bull fur seals arrive at breeding sites first, establishing territories by fighting with neighbouring male fur seals. The females arrive a few weeks later and select a location above the surf zone to give birth to a pup. Males guard females choosing to occupy their territory and treat them as their harem. A male will continue to fight with neighbouring males to maintain the chance of mating with females in his territory. Some males do not hold territories and lurk on the edges of the colony, hoping to mate with females as they leave or enter the water. Fur seals are very vocal. Adult males make a series of snarls and growls, issued as vocal warnings to neighbours. Pups make a bleating sound when they are alarmed or looking for their mother. Young males and females make a 'humph' sighing kind of sound, often while they play-fight on the rocks. The breeding season is between November and January in the southern hemisphere with the adult bulls defending their territories during this time. The gestation period can be nearly one year as the female can delay the time when the fertilised egg begins to develop into a baby (delayed implantation).