Arctocephalus forsteri

New Zealand Fur Seal at Merimbula, NSW

Request use of media

Identification history

Arctocephalus forsteri

16 Aug 2018

Leo

Identify this sighting

Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

5 comments

JackieMiles wrote:

18 Aug 2018

Dunno Leo, I'd be thinking maybe the nose is not quite pointy enough and the forehead a bit too pronounced and it is an Australian, not NZ (just going on Field Guide to Aust Mammals book). What makes you think NZ?

Leo wrote:

18 Aug 2018

I couldn't tell from the field guide but leant towards NZ thinking I've got a 50/50 chance and waiting for an expert to resolve it.

JackieMiles wrote:

18 Aug 2018

Well I hope one comes out of the woodwork for you. It ain't me anyway. I just do the easy mammals.

Leo wrote:

15 Sep 2018

I sent the image to Amy Harris, who now works on Montague Island. Here is part of her reply:

"I have had a look and it’s a New Zealand Fur Seal Arctocephalus forsteri. Key points in ID are on the head itself. A. Fosteri has a very steep forefead in comparison to Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus. Also the nose itself is very pointed in comparison to A. pusillus doriferus. NZ fur seals also have lots more whiskers. They are also darker in colour with the A. pusillus doriferus having that gorgeous creamy chest which is a lot lighter than in your image. I know this possibly threw you a little in your image as there is some chesnut colouration there but the head is undoubtedly NZ. The the A. pusillus doriferus head is like an intermediate between the steep forehead of the A. Fosteri and the really rounded forehead of a sea lion."

JackieMiles wrote:

15 Sep 2018

OK, good to know all that. I'll annotate my copy of the mammals field guide accordingly, for next time. Glad you managed to rustle up an expert!

Please Login or Register to comment.