BREEDING BEHAVIOR IN A COLONY OF WESTERN ATLANTIC GRAY SEALS

Abstract

The author spent two weeks in early February observing the breeding behavior of gray seals on the Basque Islands, Nova Scotia, the first such study earned out anywhere in the western Atlantic. The North American populations differ from their British counterparts in that they breed in midwinter rather than in the fall. It is suspected that other differences exist. By early February the bulls had already established territories and each territory contained several cows with pups. At least one bull attempted to keep his cows from entering the territory of another bull. No fighting was observed between bulls holding territories, but younger bulls were constantly challenging the supremacy of the resident bulls and several fights were observed. A peculiar rolling performance associated with agonistic behavior is described. A diurnal activity pattern was discernible in the cows but none in the bulls. The relationship between the cows and their pups is described, including nursing and play behavior. Copulating behavior between a young bull and a cow is described.