Anecdotal Observations of Socially Learned Vocalizations in Harbor Seals

• DOI: 10.26451/abc.11.03.04.2024
• Publication Date: 2024-08-26T15:39:13Z
• Authors: Diandra Duengen; Martin Polotzek; Eoin O'Sullivan; Andrea Ravignani
• Keywords: 570; Social learning; phoca vitulina; 150; NDAS; vocal learning; Marine mammal; DOAE; marine mammal; 01 natural sciences; Vocal learning; 0104 chemical sciences; social learning; QL1-991; semi-solitary; Semi-solitary; Phoca vitulina; Zoology

Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are more solitary than many other pinnipeds. Yet, they capable of vocal learning, a form social learning. Most extant literature examines animals when investigating despite sociality not being prerequisite. Here, we report two formerly silent harbor who initiated vocalizations, after having repeatedly observed conspecific receiving food rewards for vocalizing. Our observations suggest both and learning in group captive seals, species that lives semi-solitarily the wild. We propose that, this case, acted as shortcut to acquiring compared comparatively costly asocial