Suckling behaviours and growth rates of New Zealand fur seals,Arctocephalus forsteri,at Cape Foulwind, New Zealand

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Abstract
This study investigated suckling behaviours and mother/pup attendance patterns of New Zealand fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, to determine the effects these behaviours have on pup growth rates. The study was carried out at Cape Foulwind, New Zealand, over the 6 month period from February to July 1993. The growth rates of pups at Cape Foulwind during this study were the highest recorded for this species in New Zealand, with females averaging 37.1 g/day ± 3.7 SE (n = 108) and males 44.3 g/day ± 3.6 SE (n = 154) over the 140 day period. Male pups were heavier and grew faster than female pups from 60 to 200 days old, but relative sexual dimorphism did not increase significantly. The time mothers spent ashore suckling their pups decreased from 1.7 days ± 0.13 (69) in February to 1.2 ± 0.06 (94) in July. Suckling bout duration was significantly longer for males (27 min ± 2.4 (176)) than females (22 min ± 2.1 (108)). There was a trend for males to suckle more per hour (35 min/h ± 1.5 (197)) than females (33 min/h ± 1.7 (196)), especially during May. Pups terminated 82% of suckling bouts, which, assuming milk was still available, suggests that they are primarily responsible for their own resource allocation while their mothers are ashore. These results are discussed in relation to the factors influencing sexual dimorphism in fur seals.

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