Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris

A bull elephant seal forceably mates (copulates) with a much smaller female, often biting her into submission and using his weight to keep her from fleeing. Males may up to 5000 lbs, triple the size of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, USA, Mirounga angustirostris, natural history stock photograph, photo id 15409Add To Light Table
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A northern elephant seal hovers underwater over a rocky bottom along the coastline of Guadalupe Island. Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico. Image #03505
Bull elephant seal exits the water to retake his position on the beach. He shows considerable scarring on his chest and proboscis from many winters fighting other males for territory and rights to a harem of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, USA. Image #15458
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Male elephant seals (bulls) rear up on their foreflippers and fight in the surf for access for mating females that are in estrous. Such fighting among elephant seals can take place on the beach or in the water. They bite and tear at each other on the neck and shoulders, drawing blood and creating scars on the tough hides. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California, USA. Image #20369
Northern elephant seal. Image #26698
Male elephant seals (bulls) rear up on their foreflippers and fight for territory and harems of females. Bull elephant seals will haul out and fight from December through March, nearly fasting the entire time as they maintain their territory and harem. They bite and tear at each other on the neck and shoulders, drawing blood and creating scars on the tough hides. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, USA. Image #15394
Northern elephant seal, San Benito Islands. San Benito Islands (Islas San Benito), Baja California, Mexico. Image #02161
A bull elephant seal forceably mates (copulates) with a much smaller female, often biting her into submission and using his weight to keep her from fleeing. Males may up to 5000 lbs, triple the size of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, USA. Image #20388
Northern elephant seal, mother and neonate pup, gulls eating placenta. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California, USA. Image #00945

A bull elephant seal forceably mates (copulates) with a much smaller female, often biting her into submission and using his weight to keep her from fleeing. Males may up to 5000 lbs, triple the size of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California. Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, USA

Stock Photo: 15409
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California, USA
Format: Digital 2:3
Other Names: elefante marino, sea elephant, sea cow
Copyright © Phillip Colla, all rights reserved worldwide.
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Keywords: angustirostris, animal, animalia, california, caniformia, carnivora, carnivore, chordata, creature, elefante marino, elephant seal, endangered, endangered threatened species, male, mammal, mammalia, marine, marine mammal, mating courtship, mirounga, mirounga angustirostris, monterey bay national marine sanctuary, national marine sanctuaries, nature, northern elephant seal, ocean, phocid, phocidae, piedras blancas, pinniped, pinniped behavior, pinnipedia, san simeon, sea cow, sea elephant, seal, threatened, usa, vertebrata, vertebrate, wildlife

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Updated: September 22, 2020

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