A+forsteri

Arctocephalus Forsteri

 * New Zealand Fur Seal**


 * Kingdom:** Animalia **Phylum:** Chordata **Subphylum:** Vertebrata **Class:** Mammalia **Order:** Carnivora **Suborder:** Caniformia **Family:** Otariidae **Genus:** Arctocephalus **Species**: Arctocephalus forsteri

Physical Appearance:
There is a fairly large dimorphism in size between the male and female which characterizes the seal. The male can weigh over 3 times the weight, and can be 40-50% longer then the females. -Weighs approximately 40kg -Is 1.2m in length. -12.6 kg at 290 days during weaning- -Brown to dark brown dorsal side with greyish tones. -Weighs close to 160kg -Is 1.6m in length. -Male pups average 14.1 kg at 290 -Have dark brown to black dorsal sides with a lighter ventral side. -Pups average 3.3-3.9 kg at birth -Pups are 40-55cm at birth -Pups have black fur at birth, and turn grey/brown later -The range of mass in pounds is from 66 to 396lbs. -The seals have pointed snouts and ears that are external and visible. -They are covered by 2 layers of fur which is dark brown, but when they are wet, the seals sometimes look black.
 * The female:**
 * The male:**
 * Both:**

Reproduction:
Females reach mating maturity at 4-6 years old. The males are mature closer to 5-6 years old. The mating season for this species begins middle November and ends around the middle of January. Arctocephalus Forsteri are polygamous. Females give birth to one pup allmost every year until death.Young are suckled for approximately 300 days before they are weaned (Seal Conservation Society).
 * Gestation period:** 236 days
 * Birth Mass** 3833.33 g
 * Age at reproductive maturity (male and female)** 1825 days (average)


 * Average life:** For both male and female seals it is 14-17 yrs. Females mate 68 days after the birth of the pup, but delayed implantation of the blastocyst (which does not implant for 3 months), causes the gestation period to last 9 months.

There are 45 volcanoes in and around Australia, as well as another 46 around New Zealand. The Southern Equatorial Current pushes warm water between Australia and New Zealand
 * Physical Habitat Features:**
 * Lives in Pacific Ocean around Southern Australia and New Zealand**


 * Habitat:** A rocky shoreline, and locations more exposed to wind and weather are preferred for haul-outs and rookeries. The seals often move to the areas with vegetation by the shoreline.
 * Longitude/Latitude:** Live between 30-50 south and 105-180 east
 * Food habits:** Arrow squid, octopus, barracuda and mackerel. The fur seals are found to feed almost exclusively during the night for these animals.

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 * Economic Importance/Reason for endangerment:** In the 18-19th centuries, the New Zealand Fur Seal was hunted for food by the Maori people. They were also later hunted for their fur by European Countries.======

**Justification:**
Due to its large and apparently increasing population size, the New Zealand Fur seal should be classified as Least Concern.

**Migration:** New Zealand Fur seals are non-migratory
-In New Zealand all marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammals Protection Act of 1978. -"In Australia, State Governments have jurisdiction over marine mammals within three miles of the coast and each state has its own conservation legislation." (IUCN Redlist) -Continue the laws that are currently active -Provide education on the Fur seals so they arent over hunted again -Create more specific laws pertaining to what the seal needs to survive. (example: its food sources)
 * Conservation:** The seals are protected by laws in both Australia and New Zealand.
 * Solutions:**

Resources:

 * Animal Diversity Web**: []
 * IUCN Red List:** Goldsworthy, S. & Gales, N. 2008. //Arctocephalus forsteri//. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. []
 * Seal picture**: Treasures of the Sea: []
 * Map: IUCN Red List**: []