Suckling behaviour in the Grey seal ( Halichoerus grypus) and the Northern elephant seal ( Mirounga angustirostris)

• Published in: Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Fogden, S. C. L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1968
• Subjects: Elephant Seal; Elephant Seals
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1968.tb01674.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1968.tb01674.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1968.tb01674.x; https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1968.tb01674.x

The suckling behaviour of Grey seals and Northern elephant seals was investigated. Evidence suggested that in both species it is usual for females and young to select consistently the same suckling partner though certain conditions bring about changes in this behaviour. Instances of inconsistency in both species are described and the conditions that bring this about are discussed.