Fostering behaviour and milk stealing in Antarctic fur seals

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Lunn, N. J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1992
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Antarctic; Austral; Bird Island; Antarc*; Antarctic Fur Seals
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z92-119; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z92-119

During the lactation period, female otariid seals alternate trips at sea to feed with visits ashore to nurse their pups. A female returning ashore must be able to recognize her own pup, and it is generally agreed that this is facilitated by auditory and olfactory cues. Instances of fostering behavio...