Abstract: Fur seals of various species are known to feed on penguins. This has been ascertained primarily from scat analyses and occasionally from behavioural observations. In February 2007, five cases of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) predating on Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Chinstrap penguins (P. antarctica) were observed. These observations might indicate an increase in fur seal predation on seasonally abundant penguins or simply might reflect a biased sample of a few individuals who specialize in this type of foraging.
Key Words: Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella, Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, Chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica, feeding behavior, predation
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1578/AM.34.2.2008.193
Page Numbers: 193-199