Do white whales, Delphinapterus leucas , carry surrogates in response to early loss of their young?

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Smith, T. G., Sleno, G. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1986
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Beluga*; Delphinapterus leucas
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z86-237; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z86-237

Seven sightings in which mature belugas were seen to persist in carrying inanimate objects leads us to the hypothesis that this might be surrogate behaviour in response to perinatal mortality. The long period of dependence by the calf on its mother would indicate a strong mother–calf bond in this species, which might lead to such an extreme manifestation of protective behaviour.