Pakake - seals, or pinnipeds, are made up of three families: Eared seals (otariidae - 14 species) True seals (phocidae - 19 species) Walrus (odobenidae - 1 species) The basic differences between the two main families are: the eared seals have small external ear flaps, can walk on their flippers with the body clear of the ground, and use the front flippers for swimming; the true seals have no external ear flaps, rely mainly on body undulations for terrestrial movement and use the back flippers for swimming. New Zealand has 4 species seen on the mainland: two eared seals (New Zealand sea lion, New Zealand fur seal) and two true seals (Southern elephant seal, Leopard seal). There are a further three true seals (Crabeater seal, Ross seal, Weddell seal) found in Antarctica which New Zealand governs a part of. Here we provide some basic facts and some photos of the four species seen on the mainland.

Kekeno - New Zealand fur seal - Arctocephalus forsteri The most common seal on the New Zealand mainland is the New Zealand fur seal which breeds around the South Island and as far north as the Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island with males occasionally found north of Auckland. Fur seals were hunted by both Maori and Europeans and were close to extinction by the mid-1800s. After protection in the 1890s, the population has recovered well and is likely to be in excess of 50 000 and increasing as they continue to spread north. Fur seals are a grey to dark brown colour with adult males much larger (up to 2.5m, 180kg) than females (up to 1.5m, 70kg). Fur seals in New Zealand prefer rocky shores but as with all eared seals are able to move quite quickly on land. At sea they mainly use the front flippers and will often porpoise out of the water when moving quickly. They feed on squid, octopus and a variety of fish. Males fight for breeding territories from November and mate with females about one week after they give birth in late November - early January. Territorial males may stay ashore for several weeks without eating and may suffer serious, though seldom life-threatening, injuries while fighting. Females may start breeding at four and nurse their single pup for 10-11 months. New Zealand fur seals are typically frightened of people but in some areas have become habituated and in the breeding season males may even be aggressive. They are protected from any form of harassment by the Marine Mammals Protection Act, 1978. The greatest human impact is through fisheries bycatch. Jump to fact sheet on DoC web site Top of the page

Whakahao (male) or Kaki (female) - New Zealand sea lion - Phocarctos hookeri New Zealand (Hooker's) sea lions are based around the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island with approximately 150 based on the New Zealand mainland on the southeast coast of the South Island from Oamaru southwards. The only breeding on the mainland is in the Otago region where it began with a single pup in the 1993/94 season and now averages 4 pups per year - almost all related to the original female. New Zealand sea lions were once found up to the top of the North Island, but after hunting by Maori and Europeans, were almost extinct by the mid-1800s. The population is now estimated at 10 000 - 12 000, but is currently in decline. New Zealand sea lions are similar to most other sea lion species in their length (up to 3m) and weight (up to 400kg). Adult males are dark grey or brown in colour with a mane of longer, thicker hair around the neck. Females are much smaller (up to 2m and 180kg) and lighter in colour with no mane, similar to juvenile males. Like other eared seals they lift their body off the ground and are able to walk on their flippers. This means they can reach speeds of up to 20km/hr on land. They use the front flippers for swimming as they chase a wide variety of prey including a wide range of fish, squid, octopus, crabs, and occasionally seabirds and fur seals. Males fight for territories in November and mating occurs about one week after females give birth, usually in December or early January. Pups are generally weaned at 10-11 months old but may remain with the mother if she does not have a new pup. Female sea lions may start breeding as early as three years old and can live for as long as 28 years. It is uncertain when males become mature but are not likely to be big enough to hold a breeding territory until they are about eight years old. Sea lions prefer sandy beaches but may travel up to 1km inland and as they are usually unafraid of people this can lead to contention. Sea lions are currently protected from all harassment under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, 1978. They are considered a threatened species due to their limited breeding range making them vulnerable to disease. The greatest human impact is through fisheries bycatch, though several sea lions have been shot since their return to the New Zealand mainland. Jump to fact sheet on DoC web site Top of the page

Ihupuku - Southern elephant seal - Mirounga leonina Southern Elephant seals are uncommon on the mainland of New Zealand but individuals are sighted regularly, more often in the south. Breeding in the New Zealand region is almost exclusively on the subantarctic islands with occasional births on the South Island east coast the only records on the mainland. The population worldwide is likely to be in excess of 500 000 though populations in New Zealand are likely to be only a few hundred and appear to be declining. Elephant seals are the largest of the world's seals, up to 5m long and weighing up to 4000kg. They spend much of their life at sea, using the back flippers for swimming and eating a variety of fish, squid, and crustaceans. On land they must use body undulations assisted by the front flippers for locomotion. Pups are born, almost black in colour, around September/October and are weaned about three weeks later. They are generally unafraid of people. Jump to fact sheet on DoC web site Top of the page

Rapoka - Leopard seal - Hydrurga leptonyx Leopard seals are restricted to the southern hemisphere and while they are rarely seen on the New Zealand mainland, they do not breed here. The worldwide population is likely to be more than 200 000. Leopard seals are so named for their spotted coats and fearsome jaws. They are a long (up to 3.5m), slim seal (350kg or more) that must drag the body over the ground using a combination of the front flippers and body undulations. Their prey consists of a variety of krill, fish, birds and other seals. Little is known about their breeding though pups are likely born around November. They are generally unafraid and have at times been aggressive toward people. Jump to fact sheet on DoC web site Top of the page

Differences between fur seals and sea lions Sea lions Fur seals Blunt nose Pointed nose Larger (max 400kg) Smaller (max 200kg) Generally unafraid of people Generally afraid of people (except territorial breeding males and may also become habituated) Hind flippers move independently Hind flippers move together Coarser, less dense hair Finer, denser hair Marked colour variation between the sexes Little colour variation between the sexes Prefer sandy beaches Prefer rocky shores Adult males have mane of longer hair around neck and chest Adult males have no mane Feed over continental shelf Feed at edge of continental shelf or beyond

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New Zealand Sea Lion Trust
19 Irvine Road, The Cove, Dunedin, New Zealand
Email: sealiontrust@clear.net.nz

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