The Fur Seal colony in the bay of Plettenberg
The Fur Seal Colony is situated in the Nature Reserve at the bay side of Robberg Island. You can watch the colony by hiking on Robberg Island or with a boat trip from the water side.
Background:
The South African Fur Seal is found along the coast of Namibia and along the west coast of South Africa to the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Province. The South African Fur Seal has a large broad head and a pointed snout. Males are brown to dark gray with a darker mane and a light underside. They grow up to 2.2m (7ft) and weigh around 200-360 kg (440-800lb). Females are gray to light brown with a dark underside and light throat. They grow up to 1.7m (5ft) and weigh on average 120kg (260lbs). Pups are black at birth but turn gray with a pale throat after molting.
South African Fur Seals feed mostly on fish as well as octopus, crustaceans and even birds.
When on land, fur seals are skilled rock climbers and may be sighted in surprisingly high places. At sea they are known to travel large distances as much as 80km a day and may spend months offshore where they are able to dive to over 200m in search for food.
Plettenberg Bay Fur Seal Colony | View of Fur Seal colony at Robberg Nature Reserve
Plettenberg Bay Fur Seal Colony | View from boat to the Fur Seal colony at Robberg Nature Reserve
Plettenberg Bay Fur Seal Colony | View from boat to the Fur Seal colony at Robberg Nature Reserve
Plettenberg Bay Fur Seal Colony | Ballet of the Fur Seals at Robberg Nature Reserve
Fur Seal colony