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

mirounga leonina bull adult female mating surf south georgia polar regions marine mammal wildlife ocean reproduction natural behavior seal colony mating rituals coastal environment animal behavior seal bull sea life antarctica marine ecosystem mating season beach marine biology natural habitat animal interaction species ecology ocean waves wildlife conservation south atlantic seal population large mammals mating display prehistoric unique mating mammal species cold climate adult seals wild seals marine habitat apex predator coastal ecosystem surf zone aquatic mammals nature wildlife observation fur seal animal watching biodiversity wild animals