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

bull female mating surf south georgia marine life wildlife reproduction mating behavior underwater ocean natural habitat seal colony polar regions animal behavior aquatic mammals beach coastal areas nature wildlife observation species mirounga leonina mating ritual seals large mammals marine biology antarctic cold climate biodiversity mating season sexual behavior wildlife conservation animal mating gray seal social behavior marine ecosystems surf zone animal interaction coastal environment wildlife habitat oceanography natural world seal pups aquatic activity natural behavior marine mammals ocean habitat seal behavior adult seals