Individual variation in predation on fur seals by southern sea lions (Otaria byronia) in Peru

Abstract

Southern sea lions (Otaria byronia) were observed to prey on juvenile and adult female South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) at Punta San Juan, Peru (15°22′S, 75°12′W) between October 1987 and December 1988. Over the course of the study there were 165 attacks on fur seals with 33 seals killed. While both adult male and subadult male sea lions captured and killed fur seals, adult female and juvenile sea lions never acted aggressively towards fur seals. Adult males attacked fur seals on 82.4% of the occasions when they were present at the rookery, subadults on 52% of occasions. Distinctive pelage characteristics allowed some of the male sea lions to be individually identified, and differences in hunting success were observed between adults and subadults, and between five identifiable adults who hunted on at least five occasions. Motivation for attacks differed for subadults and adults, with subadult males using captured fur seals as female sea lion substitutes, guarding them from others and copulating with them, whilst adult sea lions hunted fur seals as food. However, only a small proportion of adult sea lions hunted fur seals, and with differing rates of success.