General:

Scientific name: Arctocephalus australis

Common local name: lobo marino de dos pelos

The fur of these seals exists out of two layers; the first contains short, soft hairs close to the skin and the second contains thick, longer hairs that cover the first layer. The colour of the fur of these seals is blackish grey on the dorsal side and yellowish on the ventral side. Adult males reach an average length of 1,9m and weight of 150 – 200kg and possess a mane of long hairs on the shoulder and neck area (less than the South American sea lion).

Adult females average about 1,4m in length and have a weight of 30 – 60kg. In general, these seals have a pointed nose, creamy white vibrissae and relative long, thin ear shelves. South American fur seals have an estimated lifespan of 25 to 30 years for females and 15 to 20 years for males.

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