Long-nosed Fur Seal
Arctocephalus forsteri
Silhouette: Pseudopanax and GoEThe · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnivorans)
- FamilyOtariidae (Eared Seals)
- GenusArctocephalus (Southern Fur Seals)
- SpeciesArctocephalus forsteri (Long-nosed Fur Seal)
About the Long-nosed Fur Seal
Arctocephalus forsteri (common names include the Australasian fur seal, South Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal, Antipodean fur seal, or long-nosed fur seal) is a species of fur seal found mainly around southern Australia and New Zealand. The name New Zealand fur seal is used by English speakers in New Zealand; kekeno is used in the Māori language. As of 2014, the common name long-nosed fur seal has been proposed for the population of seals inhabiting Australia.
Although the Australian and New Zealand populations show some genetic differences, their morphologies are very similar, and thus they remain classed as a single species. After the arrival of humans in New Zealand, and particularly after the arrival of Europeans in Australia and New Zealand, hunting reduced the population to near-extinction.
Males have been reported as large as 160 kg (350 lb); their average weight is about 126 kg (278 lb). Males can be 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long. Females are between 30 and 50 kg (66–110 lbs) on average, and can be as long as 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). Newborn pups are 3.3–3.9 kg (7.3–8.6 lbs) on average, and between 40 and 55 cm (1.3–1.8 ft) long. At 290 days old males are about... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Long-nosed Fur Seal in Fiordland National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Fiordland National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flinders Chase | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 3 | Abel Tasman National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 4 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 5 | Freycinet National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Long-nosed Fur Seal in Fiordland National Park?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Long-nosed Fur Seal sighting in Fiordland National Park, based on 348 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Long-nosed Fur Seal in Fiordland National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for Long-nosed Fur Seal in Fiordland National Park in our monthly data.