Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), hauled out for their annual catastrophic molt (moult) on the beach at Snow Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

mirounga leonina catastrophic molt snow island antarctica polar regions beach marine mammals wildlife animal behavior fur shedding haul out seal colony antarctic ecology natural habitat sea life marine biology biodiversity coastal environment ecosystem animal migration oceanic predators marine species animal conservation cold climate large mammals pinnipeds seal pupping seasonal behavior wildlife watching marine habitat southern ocean fur seals animal adaptation mating behavior wildlife preservation coastal wildlife marine conservation shore life ecological balance wildlife research natural selection species behavior animal interactions marine ecology animal understanding polar wildlife massive seals fur coat animal molting