New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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ACTIVITY BUDGETS OF NEW ZEALAND FUR SEALS ARCTOCEPHALUS FORSTERI DURING THE BREEDING SEASON

M. C. Crawley

J. D. Stark

P. S. Dodgshun

Department of Zoology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract The activity budgets of all the seal classes changed as the breeding season progressed. Males spent more time alert early in the season when they were establishing and defending territories and procuring females. Intrasexual behaviour was prominent only in November and early December, whereas intersexual behaviour became more conspicuous during December, when females were in post-partum oestrus. Females displayed little interest in intrasexual activity. Interactions with males ceased after copulation. Swimming was a prominent activity for females, as was suckling once pups were present. During the first few weeks of life pups mostly slept and suckled. Yearlings were present on the rookery only until 2 December, when they were rejected by females with new pups. Their predominant activity, when not lying down, was swimming (17.2%).

N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11 (4): 777-88
Received 1 February 1977; revision received 8 June 1977.

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (779K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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