The largest fur seal found in Australian waters is the Australian Fur Seal. These remarkable and beloved mammals are fascinating creatures that make their homes along rocky coasts. In Jervis Bay, there is a colony located at Drum & Drumsticks (as seen on the eco tour) and another at Steamers Headland. The seals are typically found in the area year-round.
When you visit the region on your eco cruise, you will be able to get a good, close look at the colony of fur seals. Before you depart, however, why not brush up on your fur seal knowledge? Here are 6 things you probably didn’t know about Australian fur seals.
1. Life is very different for male fur seals and female fur seals. Most of her 20+ years of life are spent in pregnancy for the female, who gives birth almost yearly to a single pup. Merely a week after delivery, she can proceed to mate again. The males mate abundantly with multiple partners, the dominant ones gathering “harems” of as many as 40 females during the breeding season.
2. The Australian fur seal has a unique process of reproduction known as delayed implantation. After mating, the fertilised egg does not immediately implant, but stays dormant for a short time. Implantation pauses and then takes place at the appropriate time to ensure the fur seal pup is born in the summer months. This time of year is when the pup’s survival chances are at their highest due to an ample food supply and temperate weather.
3. Australian fur seals are not highly aggressive animals. Swimming in large groups, any attacks they make are generally made in defence. When threatened, they swim quickly out in various directions to cause confusion. When dominant males are protecting the territory they’ve established for themselves against other males, their aggression appears in sounds and vocalisations such as grunts, barks, and growls.
4. In the water, movement appears elegant and effortless for the Australian fur seal. This is not so on land, however, where the seals lumber heavily, inching the bulky front part of their bodies slowly forward. Awkward though it may appear, though, the fur seal’s movement is still quite agile and rapid, even on the rocky coastline.
5. The Australian fur seal consumes food opportunistically. Rather than hunting aggressively in the open ocean, they dive deeply (up to depths of 200m!) and find food along the ocean floor. Their diet consists primarily of octopus, squid, rock lobster, crustaceans and small bony fish such as redbait, pilchard, and mackerel.
6. The Australian fur seal is now a protected species. In the 1800s, these animals were hunted frequently for their coats. At that time, the population dropped from hundreds of thousands down to only 20,000 seals. Fortunately, with attention, environmental efforts, and their protected status, the Australian Fur Seal population is making a recovery.
Meet The Seals!
A glimpse of these massive and fascinating animals is something you won’t soon forget. If you’re keen to see some of Jervis Bay’s most interesting wildlife, be sure to come along for one of our epic cruises. You’ll journey through the stunning turquoise waters observing these animals in their natural habitat and spotting glorious scenery throughout your tour. Book now and don’t miss out!
