Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition
During early developmental stages, cetacean calves are dependent on their mothers for survival. Protection of young whales engaged in behaviors that are biologically important is critical for population recovery, so that appropriate management actions can be taken to minimize human disturbance. Howe...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:c42e3520e50c4c6b8bc67897c8ca6697 2023-05-15T15:36:39+02:00 Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition Mari A. Smultea Dagmar Fertl Cathy E. Bacon Meggie R. Moore Vanessa R. James Bernd Würsig 2017-02-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.12966/abc.01.02.2017 https://doaj.org/article/c42e3520e50c4c6b8bc67897c8ca6697 EN eng Animal Behavior and Cognition http://www.animalbehaviorandcognition.org/article.php?id=902 https://doaj.org/toc/2372-5052 https://doaj.org/toc/2372-4323 doi:10.12966/abc.01.02.2017 2372-5052 2372-4323 https://doaj.org/article/c42e3520e50c4c6b8bc67897c8ca6697 Animal Behavior and Cognition, Vol 4, Iss 1, Pp 1-23 (2017) whale surveys mother-calf interactions nursing Zoology QL1-991 article 2017 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.12966/abc.01.02.2017 2022-12-31T11:35:42Z During early developmental stages, cetacean calves are dependent on their mothers for survival. Protection of young whales engaged in behaviors that are biologically important is critical for population recovery, so that appropriate management actions can be taken to minimize human disturbance. However, the occurrence and frequency of whale nursing and calves back-riding their mothers (both considered important to calf survival) have rarely been observed nor adequately quantified or defined. Therefore, it may not always be clear when disruption is occurring. We used extended behavioral observations, still photography, and video camera footage obtained during aircraft surveys in the Southern California Bight in 2008 – 2013 to characterize cetacean mother-calf interactions. Based on observations of four mother/calf pairs (two gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus, one fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus, and one blue whale, B. musculus) and one killer whale presumed mother/yearling pair (Orcinus orca), we describe bouts of nursing and calves riding on the backs of their presumed mothers, including activity duration, frequency, and relative body positioning. We conclude with specific definitions useful to wildlife conservation agencies authorizing and establishing restrictions to certain human activities when they might constitute behavioral disruptions. Article in Journal/Newspaper Balaenoptera physalus Blue whale Fin whale Killer Whale Orca Orcinus orca Killer whale Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Animal Behavior and Cognition 4 1 1 23 |
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Open Polar |
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Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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ftdoajarticles |
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English |
topic |
whale surveys mother-calf interactions nursing Zoology QL1-991 |
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whale surveys mother-calf interactions nursing Zoology QL1-991 Mari A. Smultea Dagmar Fertl Cathy E. Bacon Meggie R. Moore Vanessa R. James Bernd Würsig Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition |
topic_facet |
whale surveys mother-calf interactions nursing Zoology QL1-991 |
description |
During early developmental stages, cetacean calves are dependent on their mothers for survival. Protection of young whales engaged in behaviors that are biologically important is critical for population recovery, so that appropriate management actions can be taken to minimize human disturbance. However, the occurrence and frequency of whale nursing and calves back-riding their mothers (both considered important to calf survival) have rarely been observed nor adequately quantified or defined. Therefore, it may not always be clear when disruption is occurring. We used extended behavioral observations, still photography, and video camera footage obtained during aircraft surveys in the Southern California Bight in 2008 – 2013 to characterize cetacean mother-calf interactions. Based on observations of four mother/calf pairs (two gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus, one fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus, and one blue whale, B. musculus) and one killer whale presumed mother/yearling pair (Orcinus orca), we describe bouts of nursing and calves riding on the backs of their presumed mothers, including activity duration, frequency, and relative body positioning. We conclude with specific definitions useful to wildlife conservation agencies authorizing and establishing restrictions to certain human activities when they might constitute behavioral disruptions. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Mari A. Smultea Dagmar Fertl Cathy E. Bacon Meggie R. Moore Vanessa R. James Bernd Würsig |
author_facet |
Mari A. Smultea Dagmar Fertl Cathy E. Bacon Meggie R. Moore Vanessa R. James Bernd Würsig |
author_sort |
Mari A. Smultea |
title |
Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition |
title_short |
Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition |
title_full |
Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition |
title_fullStr |
Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition |
title_full_unstemmed |
Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition |
title_sort |
cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off southern california. animal behavior and cognition |
publisher |
Animal Behavior and Cognition |
publishDate |
2017 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.12966/abc.01.02.2017 https://doaj.org/article/c42e3520e50c4c6b8bc67897c8ca6697 |
genre |
Balaenoptera physalus Blue whale Fin whale Killer Whale Orca Orcinus orca Killer whale |
genre_facet |
Balaenoptera physalus Blue whale Fin whale Killer Whale Orca Orcinus orca Killer whale |
op_source |
Animal Behavior and Cognition, Vol 4, Iss 1, Pp 1-23 (2017) |
op_relation |
http://www.animalbehaviorandcognition.org/article.php?id=902 https://doaj.org/toc/2372-5052 https://doaj.org/toc/2372-4323 doi:10.12966/abc.01.02.2017 2372-5052 2372-4323 https://doaj.org/article/c42e3520e50c4c6b8bc67897c8ca6697 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.12966/abc.01.02.2017 |
container_title |
Animal Behavior and Cognition |
container_volume |
4 |
container_issue |
1 |
container_start_page |
1 |
op_container_end_page |
23 |
_version_ |
1766367012341153792 |