The Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella, is a mid-sized fur seal that breeds mostly on subantarctic islands despite its name, and takes its scientific name from the German vessel SMS Gazelle, which collected the first specimens at the Kerguelen Islands. About 95 percent of the world population breeds on South Georgia in the southern Atlantic. Males reach about 2 m and a mean 133 kg, females about 1.4 m and 34 kg, and animals live up to about 20 years. The diet is mainly krill, fish and squid. Once nearly exterminated by sealers, the species recovered, but in April 2026 the IUCN moved it from Least Concern to Endangered after a fall of more than half in mature animals.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsClimate Change and Severe Weather 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Antarctic fur seal (Wikipedia)
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Arctocephalus gazella (Animal Diversity Web)
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source Antarctic fur seal (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Antarctic fur seal (Wikipedia)Article text, rangeQuote, Article text, range
The largest congregation occurs on the island of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean
Sources
1. Antarctic fur seal (Wikipedia)
Article text, sys
The largest congregation occurs on the island of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean
Article text, diet
Antarctic fur seals feed primarily on krill, fish, and squid.
Article text, ext
Antarctic fur seals are believed to be the most abundant species of fur seal.
Conservation status, cons
In April 2026, IUCN moved the Antarctic fur seal from Least Concern to Endangered on the IUCN Red list
Population, trend
The population trend according to the IUCN Red list is 'decreasing'
Article text, life
Antarctic fur seals live up to 20 years with a maximum observed for female of 24.
Article text, cites
The animal is also listed in Appendix 2 of CITES.
Article text, hum
Historically the species were decimated by the sealing industry for its fur
Article text, threat
The ongoing decline is due to climate change
Article text, range
The largest congregation occurs on the island of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean
Behaviour
Antarctic fur seals dive at night to feed.
Child Taxon Of: Arctocephalus, Lead, tax
The Antarctic fur seal is a member of the genus Arctocephalus.
In Biome: Marine, Article text, biome
The largest congregation occurs on the island of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean
In Group: Pinnipeds (Seals, Sea Lions and the Walrus), Article text, grp
The Antarctic fur seal is a member of the genus Arctocephalus.
In Ecosystem: Antarctic Peninsula, Behaviour, non-breeding season
Adult and subadult males may form groups while moulting along the Antarctic Peninsula in late summer and early autumn.
View the Source2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Arctocephalus gazella (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPhysical Description, range mass
34 to 133 kg
Child Taxon Of: Otariidae, Classification
(Carnivora: Otariidae) from the Southern Hemisphere.
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