What’s for lunch?

Australian fur seals are skilled marine predators with a diverse diet and fascinating hunting techniques. As one of the largest fur seal species, they rely on the rich waters of southern Australia for food, primarily feeding on fish, squid, and other small marine creatures.

Fur seals have large canines, perfect for grabbing prey which they then swallow whole. Larger prey can also be targeted, seals will thrash their heads from side to side to break their food into smaller pieces… as you can see in the video taken at Rhyll jetty!

They are opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat whatever is most available in their habitat. Their diet mainly consists of:

Fish – including species like redbait, jack mackerel, and barracouta.

Cephalopods – Squid and octopus make up a significant portion of their diet.

Crustaceans – Occasionally, they consume crabs and other small marine invertebrates.

Ever wondered how researchers find out what make up a seal’s diet? Well, it involves collecting scat samples off the rocks! Seal faeces contain indigestible parts of their prey, such as octopus and squid beaks, and fish ear bones. Fish ear bones, or otoliths, are unique to each fish species.

Juvenile seals rely on their mother’s milk for up to a year, while they learn how to catch their own food. At Seal Rocks you will witness the young seals practicing the skills that allow them to catch their own prey. They use a combination of speed, agility, and keen senses to catch their prey. Juvenile seals ‘play’ with seaweed and floating objects to fine-tune their hunting skills.

Their whiskers, known as vibrissae, play a crucial role in detecting vibrations in the water, helping them locate prey even in murky or dark conditions.

Australian fur seals are efficient and adaptable hunters, perfectly suited to their marine environment. Their feeding habits not only sustain them but also play an important role in maintaining the balance of the ocean ecosystem.