Adult beachmaster bull southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) holding female down with his weight, South Georgia, Polar Regions

mirounga leonina beachmaster bull mating behavior south georgia polar regions wildlife interaction seal colony marine mammals male seal female seal reproduction dominance animal behavior coastal habitat nature wild animals natural environment antarctic ecosystem ocean life shore feeding breeding territory seal pups seal hierarchy marine biology biodiversity ocean ecosystem coastal wildlife south atlantic natural selection mating rituals seal species conservation habitat preservation coastal ecology wildlife enthusiasts wildlife observation marine conservation animal dynamics oceanic studies subantarctic wildlife protection interspecies interaction animal hierarchy underwater mammals coastal regions antarctic wildlife male dominance ecological studies