The South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) breeds on the coasts of Peru, Chile, the Falkland Islands, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Although Uruguay has long been considered to be the largest population of South American fur seals, recent census data indicates that the largest breeding population of A. a. australis (that breeds in Chile, the Falkland Islands, Argentina, Uruguay) are at the Falkland Islands (estimated pup abundance ~36,000) [3] followed by Uruguay (pup abundance ~31,000).

[7] A. australis seals prefer rocky shores and islands, particularly those with steep slopes.

They have been found in sea caves in Peru, where some climb up to 15 m to find a spot to rest.

Recent tracking studies reveal that South American fur seals breeding at the Falkland Islands use a vast area of the Patagonian Shelf.