Australian Fur Seal

Australian fur seals are found on rocky islands and exposed reefs around Tasmania, especially on the north-west coast. It is the most common seal in Tasmanian waters, breeding on small isolated rocks in Bass Strait between October and January.

You can head out with specialist operators from Bruny Island, the Tasman Peninsula, Stanley in the north-west, and Ninth Island in the north-east.

The Australian fur seal is the world's fourth rarest seal species. Hunted to the brink of extinction last century, population recovery has been slow. Scientists estimate that 5,000 seal pups are born in Tasmanian waters each year, although 15 per cent die in the first two months of life.

Males are much bigger than females, weighing between 220 kilos (485 pounds) and 360 kilos (793 pounds). They are usually dark grey/brown with a mane of coarse hair on the neck and shoulders. Females are silvery-grey on the back, with a creamy-yellow throat and chest and a chocolate-brown belly. Australian fur seals have a dense coat consisting of woolly underfur and long, coarse outer hairs.

Females give birth to a single pup, which is fed on thick, rich milk. Pups are born in November-December and usually weaned 10-11 months later, although some females may suckle a pup for up to four years. Females are in almost a continuous state of lactation after having their first pup. There can be only a few weeks between weaning last season's pup and having another.

They feed on a range of fish, with cuttlefish, squid, octopus, redbait, jack mackeral and leatherjackets their most common prey.