Immature male northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) lost an estimat
ed 20-30% of their body mass while fasting during the breeding season
on St. Paul Island, Alaska. This is somewhat less than the mass loss r
eported for territorial adult male pinnipeds. During fasting, absolute
rates of mass change (averaging -0.68 kg.day(-1)) were positively cor
related with initial mass. Mass-specific rate of change (averaging 2%.
day(-1)) did not vary with age or initial mass. Although they lose lar
ge amounts of mass while fasting, immature male fur seals achieve a ne
t increase in mass during the breeding season by making feeding trips
to sea. We postulate that the capability for prolonged fasting in imma
ture males facilitates the development of social and sexual skills tha
t are Likely to increase future reproductive success.