In the austral spring (September – December) males establish breeding
territories, approximately 50m2, in which they will try to
herd females and create a harem. Non-breeding males are pushed to a
separate part of the rookery, closer to the ocean.
For South American fur seals, sexual maturity is reached at around the
age of 3 for females and at the age of 5 for males although they do not reproduce
until they reach 7 years of age, when they are able to form their harem.
They have a polygynous mating system in which males will mate
with various females.
The females begin estrus usually 6 to 8 days after they give birth.
After mating, implantation is delayed for 3 - 4 months (phenomena of
‘delayed implantation’) and active gestation time averages between 8 - 9
months. They have only one pup that weights 4kg and is 60cm long at
birth. The pup has a typical black fur. Lactation period lasts between 8
- 12 months during which females will alternate periods (1 - 2 days) of
nursing on land with periods (4 - 5 days) of feeding in sea.
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