Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Diving behaviour of lactating southern sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in Patagonia
Author(s)
Werner, R; Campagna, C
Published
1995
Publisher
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Abstract
The diving behaviour of six lactating female southern sea lions (Otaria flavescens) was recorded during 52.4 animal-days at sea. Information was obtained from 18 057 dives. Females spent 52.7 +/- 6.2% of the time at sea diving. Median and maximum dive depths ranged from 19 to 62 and from 97 to 175 m, respectively. Dives were short, with median and maximum durations ranging from 2.1 to 3.2 and from 4.4 to 7.7 min, respectively. Dives deeper than 10 m represented 56-89% of total dives and involved 93-97% of total diving time. Mean dive depth and duration of dives greater than 10 m were 61 m and 3 min, respectively. Most of these dives (69%) had a flat-bottomed U-shaped profile, bottom time constituting about half of the dive duration. Shallow dives, with a modal depth of 2 m, were short (median duration 0.1-0.8 min), with virtually no time spent at the bottom of the dive. During trips to sea, which ranged from less than 1 day to more than 4 days, females dove continuously. Mean dive frequency was between 11 and 19 per hour. Surface intervals were short (median 0.9-1.2 min) and there was no apparent diel variation in dive depth or frequency. The estimated aerobic dive limit of the females was exceeded on only a few dives (0.7-6.2%). Transit to potential foraging areas took 0.2-8.3 h.
Keywords
ANTARCTIC FUR SEALS; NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEALS; ZALOPHUS-CALIFORNIANUS; ENERGETICS; PREY
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB11793