The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-07-18
sRALs-rHE1R HOMES AND HABITS.
From the Alaska Herald

from the Alaska Herald.
Ont ofthe twenty five varieties, there is believ-
ed to but one among the Crates (eared seals) that
furnishes fur under the ordinary covering of
hair. The peculiarites of this animal were un-
known to naturalists until after the year 1925, al
though the capture Of it, for its valuable skin, had
been pursued for many years previous to that
date.
The Otaria Falklandca, or fur seal of commerce,
has been in former years widely distributed over
the world; but, owing to persistent hunting and
1ndiscriminate slaughter IN it's land home it is
now found in bit few places in any great num-
bers. A striking popularity of this animal, dit
ferent from other species of the SEAL is, that when
ruthiessly destroyed and swept off from their &C
customed places ofresort, such locations, even if
updirturbed for years, never recuperate or become
repeopled with SEAL
The fur seal was formerly found in great num-
bers in the Southern Ocean, Kergulan's Land,
Falkland Island. South Shetlands, south Georgia,
lower coasts of South America, Juan Fernandez
and Massafuero ISLANDS, were at one time famous
hunting grounds. In the Northern Ocean, the west
coast of North America, some islands of Behring
Sea and coats of Japan, have been found to be in
hablted, at seasons, by these animals
wide distribution, none have ever been found in
the waters joining those of the North Atlantic
Ocean. While around Greenland, Iceland, Nova
Zembla and northern coasts Of Europe, the com
mon or hair seal is very abundant, the fur seals
has never been found in those localities.
The habits of this animal are very peculiar, and
form an interesting study. In the spring of the
year. in either northern or southern hemisphere,
they leave the water and resort to the land in
countless thousands, remaining come months
then, on the approach of winter all depart for
known localities. It is believed, however, they
spend the intervening time at sea in milder
latitude than their island homes would be in a
mid-winter. Where do they go has often asked
but never satisfactorily answered. Perhaps it is
well that it has not, for pursued in the water
well as the land, total humiliation would en-
sue. Being fitted by Nature to inhabt equally
well the shore and ocean, it is probable that after
their visit to the land their voyage to sea is of
rest and recuperation. They are known to sleep
on the surface of the water, and their active and
playful habits when in this clement have often
been observed by seamen. While at sea they be-
come quite fat, and when first landing on the
beach in the spring their size often renders them
increased. In their habits Of life these animals
are completely gregariOus, but in visiting the land
they separate themselves into classes of different
ages and sexes.
Seals are particularly attached to their chosen
resort, and if undietUrbed return to it with I'M
failing regularity; they seem to love to congre
gate together. Often, when many islands are
contiguous they select one or two, crowding up
on them to the neglect Of others apparently as
good.
Woe to the seal if his rookeryis accessible and
is not guarded by laws and penalties against the
gapacity of man The lust of greed, the desire to
make the most money in the shortest time, has
caused the utter destruction Of these valuable ami
mails in many localities No rookery of large size
is now known in the Southern Ocean. The cupid
ity Of man has caused their dest ruction in almost
all of their haunts south of the equator.