Our Year 7 class is now known as Kekeno (New Zealand Fur Seal). We have been researching and learning a lot about this amazing animal. Here are some of the interesting things we have learnt so far...

Kekeno are the most common breed (of seal) in New Zealand even though in the 1800s they were hunted ruthlessly for their meat and fur. - Alyssandra Parenti

When they catch small food they eat it whole under water but if it is a larger fish it gets brought to the surface and shaken off to be eaten in smaller pieces. - Tyla Davies

The females dive deeper than the strong males. Isn't that surprising? - Lizzy Moule

Male kekeno slap themselves to show that they are the strongest one of the group. - Lauren Shore

Like us, kekeno cannot breathe underwater, but can hold their breath for an astonishing 30 minutes! - Stella Jones

Baby seals, if you pat them, will follow you. This is because they will think you are their mother. Adult seals, however, will attack you. - Tekaia Laxon

Kekeno eat squid and small fish. - Dominic Carr

They like to sunbathe on rocks so that when they're getting too hot they can dive in to cool off. They also live in Western and Eastern Australia, but are found in New Zealand. If you go to Kaikoura you will see them sunbathing on the rocks. - Sam Reilly

When a seal claps and slaps itself it means that it is telling anyone who comes into its territory that I am bigger and stronger! - Blake Painter

Seals can swim up to 20km per hour, they can swim way faster than a human! - Theo Vodde