Valentine's Special: Passion in the Harem (graphic warning)
Winter is mating season for Northern Elephant Seals. Thousands of adults leave the water to set up residence on rookery beaches. After the two-ton bulls establish their harems of 20-30 females, and the females finish their birthing and nursing, the females enter estrus and the mating marathon begins. The females must mate before returning to sea, and passion peaks around Valentine\'s Day.
1. A harem master declares his territory with a posture display and a loud \"conk, conk, conk...\" that resonates in his ample nasal cavity.
2. The harem master (right) drives a young \"sneaker\" male (left) from the harem, as two of his females watch.
3. A harem master begins the mating sequence with one of his females.
4. A harem female in estrus tries to initiate mating with the harem master, but he is exhausted after a morning of fighting and mating.
5. The female gives up and slumps against the male\'s flank until he is ready to return to action.
6. Raucous passion.
7. Coital bliss.
Happy Valentine\'s Day!
Feb 11, 2012 at 02:08 PM
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