Young Belugas Diversify Adult Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) Behavior
Across the animal kingdom, immature animals are characterized by their playfulness and diversity of behavior, but are their actions enriching to adult conspecifics? The purpose of this study was to assess if beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) calves influenced the behavioral repertoire of adult conspecifics, specifically with regard to play behaviors, social interactions, and solitary swimming. Video […]
Preliminary observations of an unusual mouth interaction between beluga calves (Delphinapterus leucas)
Although many animals, including odontocetes, exhibit interactions involving mouths (e.g., mouthing, nuzzling, biting), a limited number of animals display mouth-to-mouth social interactions that involve mutual coordination and collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to describe briefly a spontaneous and unexpected mouth-to-mouth social interaction between beluga calves in human care during their first year of […]
Behavior and blood catecholamines of captive belugas during playbacks of noise from an oil drilling platform
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430090507.abs Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) depend on sounds for communication and echolocation. To address the concerns that noise from oil platforms may have adverse effects, we examined behavioral responses of four captive belugas to playbacks of noise from SEDCO 708, a semi-submersible drilling platform. Swim patterns, social groups, and respiration/dive rates were not statistically different […]
The first year of behavioral development and maternal care of beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) calves in human care
The current study provides additional information for the behavioral development and maternal care of belugas or white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the care of humans. The behaviors and mother–calf interactions of two female beluga calves were recorded from birth to 12 months as part of a longitudinal study of beluga behavioral development. As expected, the […]