A large seal which bears a striking resemblance to a sea lion, the Cape fur seal is indigenous to Southern Africa, and only breed along the coast of Namibia and South Africa. 

Their name derives from their coat, as unlike other seal species who have only a thin covering of hair, Cape fur seals are blessed with a thick pelt, which they shed every year. 

They are also known as 'eared' seals, because again, unlike other species, they have tiny ears flattened against their head. 

Size and Colour

Males are just over 2m in length, and can weigh up to 360kg. The females are much smaller.  Males also have a mane, which becomes lighter with age. 

Both species are dark grey to brown in colour, and newborn pups are jet black, becoming lighter as they get older.

The Threat to the Cape Fur Seal Population Today

Cape fur seals have few natural predators. Sharks and killer whales are their main threats, and on land, seal pups are particularly vulnerable to black backed jackals and brown hyenas.  

The greatest threat to the seals is, however, man.  For nearly 400 years, seal pups have been hunted for their fur, as the adult's hair is too coarse. 

Uncontrolled hunting in the late 19th century resulted in their numbers being drastically reduced. 

In 1893, the seals were protected for the first time, and since then, coupled with controlled harvesting, their numbers have steadily increased again. 

The alarming increase in ocean pollution is also a threat not only to the seals, but other marine animals as well. 

However, if a seal survives all this, then their life span is between 20 and 40 years. 

During the breeding season, a male can have as many as 60 or 70 females in his harem. 

The males are fiercely territorial and will fight viciously to defend their chosen territories.   Chest-to-chest combat is common, with bite wounds inflicted on tender parts.  

A female will give birth to a single pup between October and January, after a gestation period of a year, and will mate again with the territorial male only 6 days after giving birth.  

The mothers remain ashore with their new pups for a week or more.

After a week, the mothers have to leave the pups to return to the sea to hunt for food, but come back to suckle them.  It is amazing how the mother can find her pup amongst so many, but they recognise the call of their young and know instantly where it is. 

The pups soon begin to venture into the water themselves, and by the time they are 7 months old they are already able to hunt and fend for themselves, although most will continue to suckle until they are a year old. 

In the Water

Cape fur seals are equally at home on land or in the sea, but tend to spend a good proportion of their day in the water, feeding on schooling fish, squid, rock lobster, and occasionally diving down to the bottom to feed on octopus.

They are incredibly quick and agile in the water, and can swim at speeds of up to 16 km/h.  Their blood vessels are concentrated in the flipper ends, so in order to get heat to their bodies, they hold their flippers out of the water.

Breeding

There are estimated to be about 25 breeding colonies and a further 10 non-breeding colonies along the South African and Namibian coastlines, which together support a current estimated population of nearly 2 million seals. 

They prefer to breed on rocky ground, but do sometimes use flat, sandy beaches.