Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) pair. The male (left) has a trunk-like proboscis which gives this huge seal its name. There is a pronounced size difference between the sexes. Males can reach up to 6.2 metres in length,and weigh up to 4 tonnes,while the biggest females are half this size. Males compete to control large harems of females,with only the largest 2- 3% of males getting the chance to breed. The scarred neck of this male is probably a result of this intense competition. Southern elephant seals feed on cephalopods (such as squid) and fish. Photographed on South Georgia Island | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Allan, Doug |
Bildgröße: | 4596 px × 3094 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |