thomas_doerner's Favorites

Dia 82, un individuo.

Day 82, one individual.

Relacionado con // Related to:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2667158
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2667199
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2667420

Puffie Power Play

An incredible encounter with two male Puffies in combat on the beach at the Cape of Grope (say "Good Hope" really fast with a local accent). I watched them for an hour, during which time they had a couple of dunkings which didn't seem to bother them. Don't know how long they'd been at it before I got there, but there was no sign of any letting up when I left. Video of some of the action here: https://vimeo.com/138773900.

Originally I had assumed this was a Puffie pair mating, but in light of some of the comments made here about sexual dimorphism (not apparent in these two individuals), and in view of the fact that I couldn't see anything going on that looked like copulation, I'm persuaded that this was a pre-mating dominance ritual. Although I must say it mostly seemed like rather gentle and serene combat. I wonder if there was a lady in waiting anywhere in the vicinity...