Southern elephant seal moulting
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Southern elephant seal moulting
Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) juvenile moulting. Southern elephant seals live in the open waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. They feed at sea and come to land only to breed and to moult. Moulting takes place in the short summer months. The process involves shedding the fur and outer epidermis and takes several weeks, during which time the animals may seek respite in muddy holes. Juveniles usually come ashore to moult earlier in the season than the adults. Photographed on South Georgia
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6329771
© CHARLOTTE MAIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Animal Behaviour Antarctic Asleep Atlantic Coastal Epidermis Hair Immature Island Islands Juvenile Land Layer Mammal Mammalia Marine Mammal Mirounga Leonina Moult Moulting Peel Peeling Pinniped Resting Seal Shed Shedding Skin Sleeping South Georgia Southern Atlantic Southern Elephant Seal Sub Antarctic Young Blubber Elephant Seal Itchy Phocid Phocidae Sea Mammal True Seal True Seals
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a young Southern elephant seal in the midst of its moulting process. Found in the vast open waters of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, these magnificent creatures venture onto land solely for breeding and shedding their old fur and outer epidermis. Moulting occurs during the brief summer months, with juveniles like this one often coming ashore earlier than their adult counterparts. The moulting process is an intricate one that takes several weeks to complete. As seen in this image, the seal seeks solace in muddy holes while shedding its old skin and hair layers. It's a fascinating display of nature's renewal as each layer is carefully peeled away, revealing fresh new skin underneath. Southern elephant seals are known for their impressive size and blubber reserves, which help them survive in frigid Antarctic waters. In this peaceful moment captured on South Georgia Island, we witness this juvenile peacefully resting amidst its transformative journey. With every detail beautifully preserved by Science Photo Library, viewers can appreciate not only the incredible biology behind moulting but also gain insight into animal behavior within sub-Antarctic regions. This stunning photograph serves as a reminder of the diverse wildlife that thrives even in some of Earth's most extreme environments.
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