Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) male (bull). Only the bull has the trunk-like proboscis which gives this huge seal its name. 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 southern elephant seal feeds on cephalopods (such as squid) and fish. It was hunted for its blubber,which was used as a source of oil,until 1964. Photographed on South Georgia Island | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Allan, Doug |
Bildgröße: | 4492 px × 3129 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |