Formation of behavior in the White Sea beluga calf, Delphinapterus leucas, during early postnatal ontogenesis

Abstract

The periods of development individual behavior in beluga calves are described. During these periods, calves form locomotor skills and interrelations with other individuals, and this determines the overall social structure of a pod. The formation of behavior in White Sea beluga calves passes through a number of stages. New types of social interactions arose in the following sequence: the imprinting period, the first abandoning of the mother without contact with other members of the pod and accumulation of new locomotive elements, first contacts with other young-of-the-year calves, and the complication of interaction types through game activities. Calves usually formed pairs with coevals or elder calves that possessed a richer locomotor repertoire. New motions appeared as a result of imitation of adult animals. These periods do not have distinct terms and depend on the individual qualities of the calves. Some changes in the belugas’ behavior were seen under the conditions of the active development of managed ecotourism in the area around Solovetsky Island, the animals showed adaptation to the presence of man.