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 polar regions wildlife marine mammals sexual behavior coastal natural habitat reproduction animal behavior sea ocean seal marine life antarctic region mating season south atlantic beach seal pups adaptation natural history aquatic subantarctic endemic species mating rituals wildlife observation biodiversity conservation research ecological environment ecosystem wild nature animal mating seal colony prey reproduction cycle hunting behavior social interactions marine ecosystem habitat preservation seal behavior arctic region nature reserve