TY - JOUR
T1 - Social organization of female sperm whales and their offspring
T2 - constant companions and casual acquaintances
AU - Whitehead, Hal
AU - Waters, Susan
AU - Lyrholm, Thomas
PY - 1991/12
Y1 - 1991/12
N2 - Associations among female sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus, and their dependent offspring, off the Galapagos Islands were studied between 1985 and 1989. The whales were found in groups containing about 23 individuals, with each individual having approximately 12 constant (over years) companions. These permanent units associated with one another for periods of ≅6.5 days, although the rate and duration of these associations seemed to vary between years, perhaps because of differences in the food supply. The principal function of the closed units may be care of the offspring, and units in the same general area may derive benefit from feeding in a coordinated manner.
AB - Associations among female sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus, and their dependent offspring, off the Galapagos Islands were studied between 1985 and 1989. The whales were found in groups containing about 23 individuals, with each individual having approximately 12 constant (over years) companions. These permanent units associated with one another for periods of ≅6.5 days, although the rate and duration of these associations seemed to vary between years, perhaps because of differences in the food supply. The principal function of the closed units may be care of the offspring, and units in the same general area may derive benefit from feeding in a coordinated manner.
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U2 - 10.1007/BF00165964
DO - 10.1007/BF00165964
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0026379393
SN - 0340-5443
VL - 29
SP - 385
EP - 389
JO - Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
JF - Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
IS - 5
ER -