Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) bull holding adult female in the surf to mate with her, South Georgia, Polar Regions

mirounga leonina bull female mating surf south georgia breeding wildlife marine seal behavior polar region animal interaction ocean nature seal colony animal reproduction marine mammal coastal habitat mating ritual reproductive behavior natural habitat aquatic life species conservation seal pup breeding ground thick skinned behavior summer wildlife tourism sea life ecosystem subantarctic mating season marine ecosystems natural world coastal erosion reproduction cycle behavioral ecology wildlife observation animal welfare antarctic region oceanography animal sounds seal group south atlantic underwater life seal migration