The playful demeanour of the Cape fur seal has given way to the nickname ‘dog of the ocean’. And one that is able to dive as deep as up to 200 metres for a period of around seven minutes. Experts at fishing, these animals are also fond of squid, crab, and sometimes birds. One individual was also spotted killing a handful of blue sharks near Cape Point in South Africa. It was most likely after their livers and the fish in their stomachs.
When on land, where they breed, Cape fur seals prefer boulder beaches and rocky islands. This is where they are most at risk of attacks by land-based predators such as brown hyenas and black-backed jackals. In the water, they fear the great white shark and killer whales. The curious and playful nature of the animal in the water, on occasion, leads to interaction with humans, especially divers. They are more fearsome on land and tend to go into fight mode when approached.
The large population size of the Cape fur seal (in excess of 10,000 animals) has led to the classification of ‘Least Concern’.
The cold waters of the Namib coast in Namibia are home to a wealth marine life. Visitors to this part of Africa stand the chance of spotting dolphins, whales, seals, and turtles.
Kenya has several impressive marine parks along its coast. The parks are home to diverse marine life and offer excellent diving experiences for beginners and experts.
Mozambique has long been a tourist destination. And for those looking to experience the water, the marine life is rich and diverse, and home to bottlenose dolphins.
South Africa attracts local and international tourists to its beautiful coastlines. The West Coast is home to ocean dwellers such as the African penguin and the Cape fur seal.