Antarctic Fur Seal | Do Seals Live in Antarctica and Where to See One

When it comes to Antarctic wildlife, the penguins are the star attraction. The seals come next and they are one of the most endearing marine mammals that you will find on the white continent. For watching and photographing fur seals, there is hardly any other spot that matches the scope of the sub-Antarctic islands.

Not many species can come back from the brink of extinction. After being ruthlessly hunted for decades, the fur seals in Antarctica not only made a comeback but have thrived exponentially in the past decades.

Seals can be seen in Antarctica during the entire tourist season. Generally, you will find seals not doing much other than lying still. At times, you might find two males battling it out for a female or one adult baring its teeth towards the camera. It is in these moments that the magic of Antarctica truly unfolds in front of you.

Are there seals in Antarctica?

Six seal species are found in Antarctica: the southern elephant seal, Weddell seal, leopard seal, Ross seal, crabeater seal, and Antarctic fur seal. The seal populations are thriving in Antarctica, and the pup production rate is over 200,000 per year.

Even so, this was not always the same. In the late 18th and 19th centuries, Antarctic fur seals were mercilessly hunted; primarily for their fur coats. Seal hunting was the main reason behind early Antarctic expeditions. 

Massive-scale hunting pushed the species very close to extinction. The carnage finally stopped when there were too few seals left for commercial hunting expeditions. 

The number of Antarctic fur seals rebounded only after they became a conserved species in the 20th century. At present, the fur seal is protected under the CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species).

Where to find Antarctic fur seals

In truth, Antarctic fur seals are rarely found in the Antarctic mainland. The most commonly seen seal species on the Antarctic mainland is not the fur seal but the Weddell seal. The main fur seal habitats are the sub-Antarctic islands like South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, Bouvet Island, the Falklands, and Macquarie Island. 

Around 95% of the total population of fur seals that live in Antarctica breed in South Georgia. During the breeding season, the beaches get densely packed with seals - an incredible sight. In late season, the beaches are occupied by seal pups, presenting excellent photo opportunities.

What does an Antarctic fur seal look like?

The fur seals are the smallest of all the seals found in Antarctica. They have a slender body with a long neck. Being eared seals, they have prominent external ears. Their muzzle is pointed like that of a dog. Adult fur seals have long whiskers and in some males, it can be as long as 45 cm.

The body of fur seals is mostly covered with two layers of hair. The coarse guard hair covers the finer under-pelt fur, which is water-resistant and offers insulation. They use the well-developed nails on their hind flippers for grooming.

The males are four to five times heavier than the females. The average length and weight of a male fur seal is 180 cm and 133 kg. In contrast, the average female is 129 cm in length and weighs only 34 kg. While the males are dark brown, females are paler with the chest and neck region being whiter in shade.

Characteristics

Unlike true seals which have no external ear, fur seals have well-developed fore flippers. This allows them to move on all four limbs and they move faster on land than other seals. They can reach speeds of around 20 kilometres per hour on smooth surfaces. 

You may find them using their front flippers to move to a “standing” position. While their movement may look somewhat awkward on land, they are fast and elegant swimmers underwater- thanks to the strong flippers. 

Fur seals also have a sharp eyesight and a keen sense of hearing. When the beaches are crowded with mother-pup mairs, the mothers use vision, sense of smell, and vocalizations to spot their own offspring.

Fur seals are not the best divers among the Antarctic animals. The average duration of their dive is around 4 minutes. Male fur seals can dive as deep as 300 metres, though the average dive depth is much lesser - around 100 metres. In comparison, an emperor penguin can dive to depths above 500 metres. 

Antarctic fur seal life cycle 

Breeding season (Late October - December)

Males arrive first in late October and establish territories through aggressive displays including vocalizations (roars and guttural growls) and posturing. These territorial disputes can escalate to physical combat between dominant bulls.

Females arrive in November, give birth to a single pup conceived during the previous season, and mate again within a week. This mating behaviour is polygynous, with dominant males mating with multiple females within their territory.

Pupping (November - Mid-December)

Pups are born after a year-long gestation, which includes delayed implantation to ensure births align perfectly with the Antarctic summer.

Pup rearing (December - March)

Mothers nurse their pups for approximately 4 months, regularly leaving for several days to feed at sea before returning to nurse. Males are not involved in pup rearing. During this period, pups are highly vocal and playful—comparable to puppies on the beach displaying both confrontational behaviour and sweet temperaments.

Weaning (March - April)

Pups are weaned around March-April and begin fending for themselves.

Molting (March - April)

Adults and juveniles undergo their annual molt (shedding and regrowing fur) after the breeding season. This process is essential for developing proper winter insulation.

After completing both breeding and molting, Antarctic fur seals disperse widely at sea to feed.

What do Antarctic fur seals eat?

Being carnivorous, Antarctic fur seals hunt krill, fish, and squid. The Antarctic krill remains their primary diet and an adult male can consume around a ton of krill annually. Some males have also been known to eat penguins on rare occasions.

Fur seals prefer to dive at night to feed. In South Georgia, nursing mothers depend completely on the availability of krills. The mothers forage close to the island while caring for the pups. This makes krill availability in the surrounding waters a critical factor in the reproductive success of fur seals.

Are Antarctic fur seals social?

Antarctic fur seals are social animals, especially during the breeding season. That said, you can find fur seals swimming alone or gathering in small groups on a beach. The pups mingle freely within their own age class and often learn to swim in batches.

Lifespan 

The average lifespan of a male fur seal is 15 years. The females live longer and their average lifespan is around 25 years. However, in females over 17 years of age, the pregnancy rate decreases.

Natural predators

Among the animals in Antarctica, the top-level predator is the killer whale and they are a major threat to adult fur seals. Often, the whales move into shallow water and wait for the seals to return from their foraging trips.

The leopard seal is another vicious predator and it targets fur seal pups near the seal colonies. It is when the pups move beyond the supervision of their mother and learn to swim that they are most vulnerable to leopard seals. One study suggests that an average of 69.3% of the fur seal pups born every year are consumed by leopard seals.

On comparing Antarctic fur seals with Arctic fur seals, you will find that their behaviour patterns differ. Seals living within the Arctic Circle have to avoid predators on both land and the sea - the polar bears and killer whales.

In contrast, fur seals in the Antarctic can stay safe on land due to the absence of land-based predators. This allows Antarctic seals to move fearlessly on land in large groups and give birth safely.

How many Antarctic fur seals are there today?

At the start of the 21st century, some reports suggested that the fur seal population in South Georgia was between 4.5 million and 6.2 million. However, that number was inaccurate. 

But then counting fur seals from crowded seal breeding beaches is tough. A 2009 estimate puts the number of fur seals in South Georgia at 3.5 million, which is considered the peak.

Alarmingly, the effects of climate change on the availability of krill have started harming the fur seal population. With the Antarctic krill numbers crashing in the last few decades, these iconic animals might be facing a threat, again.

Planning your trip

Before you start preparing your Antarctica packing list, there are a few things to consider. Timing plays a critical role in any trip to the Antarctic. So, deciding when to visit and the duration of your trips is the first step while planning. 

Our expeditions visit Antarctica during austral summer (Late October through early April). Outside of that, it’s reserved for researchers only. 

Be prepared to face an adventurous journey in a remote terrain with unpredictable weather conditions. Not everything might go as per the plan and that is a part of the Antarctic adventure.

The ecological sensitivity of the Polar regions is another aspect that you need to consider. Consider choosing a Small Ship Expedition that focuses on responsible and sustainable travel to Antarctica.

Visit South Georgia with Secret Atlas

Witnessing the fragile beauty and the incredible wildlife of South Georgia is a magical experience - a voyage full of heart-stopping moments. Be it witnessing the fur seals nursing their pups or the thrill of viewing a fountain of water rising skyward from a passing whale.

An adventure with the Secret Atlas team allows you to intimately experience the endless wilderness of this unique land. Our journeys are free from crowds and we ensure an unhindered exploration of the continent, beyond rigid schedules. 

Whether you are an explorer, a photographer, or a solo nature-lover looking for a transformative experience, the Secret Atlas voyages offer an incomparable journey into the white continent. Get in touch to learn more about our upcoming South Georgia adventures.