Northern Elephant Seal, Mirounga angustirostris

northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris, males, rearing up on their foreflippers and fighting for territory and harems of females, sandy beach rookery, winter, Piedras Blancas, San Luis Obispo, California, USA, Pacific Ocean - 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.

Credit to: Blue Planet Archive / Phillip Colla

Image dimensions: 7467x4978

URL for this image: https://pictures.blueplanetarchive.com/image/I00008TyEp3hYb3k