| The Antarctic Fur Seal and the Subantarctic Fur
Seal resemble in many aspects. The Antarctic Fur Seal is dark brown
but the Subantarctic Fur Seal is light yellow in its chest, face and
the back of its ears. Males of the Antarctic Fur Seal reach 180cm
in length and weigh 130kg while females are 130cm in length and weigh
only 40kg. The Subantarctic Fur Seal is slightly smaller. The Antarctic
Fur Seal live in the sea area south of the Antarctic Convergence and
north of 65° South Latitude, while the Subantarctic Fur Seal is
not found south of the Convergence. There are some areas that the
habitats of two seals overlap with each other. Both species feed on
krill and fish. |
| |
| Characteristics
of Otariidae |
|
1.
|
The
hind flippers are facing
forward and they can be
bent under the body. With
the hind flippers and the
forelegs that are facing
outward, they can walk on
the land. |
|
2.
|
They
have outer ear flaps. |
|
| |
| The Antarctic Fur
Seal had been targeted for their
fur since their discovery in the
late 18th century and faced near
extinction by the end of the 19th
century. The population has recovered
miraculously under the strict
protection. |
