“Sex Pest” Fur Seal Tried to Get it On With a King Penguin



Nico de Bruyn was on a beach on Marion Island, a sub-Antarctic island that is home to Antarctic fur seals and king penguins when he noticed this bizarre attack:

De Bruyn and a colleague were on Trypot beach at Marion Island to study elephant seals when they noticed a young, adult male Antarctic fur seal, in good condition, attempting to copulate with an adult king penguin of unknown sex.

The 100kg seal first subdued the 15kg penguin by lying on it. The penguin flapped its flippers and attempted to stand and escape - but to no avail. The seal then alternated between resting on the penguin, and thrusting its pelvis, trying to insert itself, unsuccessfully.

After 45 minutes the seal gave up, swam into the water and then completely ignored the bird it had just assaulted, the scientists report. Why a fur seal would indulge in such extreme sexual behaviour is unclear.

Link (Photo: Nico de Bruyn)

Previously on Neatorama: 30 Strangest Animal Mating Habits


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Posted on May 6, 2008 at 2:47 pm by Alex
Category: Animal



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