18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
playful teenagers

Picture taken under research permit aiming at identifying the animals and recording their behaviour. In this picture, some youngsters are starting to engage in what is known as socialisation. From what I have observed, socialising is most often seen when there are young animals and you can see in the background the head of a little calf. When socialising the animals occasionally open their mouths and bite each other gently. The biting and touching seem to re-affirm their bond.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Mauritius
Copyright: © vanessa Mignon