Preliminary observations of an unusual mouth interaction between beluga calves (Delphinapterus leucas).

摘要: Although many animals, including odontocetes, exhibit interactions involving mouths (e.g., mouthing, nuzzling, biting), a limited number of animals display mouth-to-mouth social that involve mutual coordination and collaboration. The purpose this paper is to describe briefly spontaneous unexpected interaction between beluga calves in human care during their first year life. Forty-seven independent events were identified after event sampling from more than 345 hr observations four mother-calf pairs companions. Unique aspects behavior included early emergence presumably without the benefit model preference for similar aged partners. Adult belugas did not interaction. Based on its emergence, presence similar-aged partner preferences, affiliative cooperative contexts, unusual may play significant role physical development. To evaluate possibility, additional research needed which complete topography, possible functions, potential outcomes associated with rare but conspicuous exhibited by are assessed.