Mother southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) posturing at breeding site at Peggotty Bluff on South Georgia Island, Polar Regions

mirounga leonina posturing breeding site peggotty bluff polar regions marine mammals wildlife behavior seal colony animal communication natural habitat antarctic wildlife coastal environment reproduction motherhood pinnipeds marine life biodiversity conservation ecological significance environmental awareness animal behavior social interaction seal pups ocean ecosystem seal reproduction sandy beach marine biology animal dynamics wildlife observing cold climate animal parenting seal interactions undersea life species protection coastal ecosystems animal habitats natural behavior wildlife conservation snorkeling marine research baby seals animal species ecological systems natural world animal instincts wildlife protection habitat preservation environmental science seal migration oceanic environment