Nursing parameters in captive killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Clark, Steven T.; Odell, Daniel K.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1999)18:5<373::aid-zoo2>3.0.co;2-d

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…Russell et al [1997] observed a slightly longer time to peak postpartum nursing time of 7-10 days. A similar nursing pattern has been observed in killer whales [Asper et al, 1988;Clark and Odell, 1999], bottlenose dolphins [Read et al, 1995], and Pacific white-sided dolphins . Although some authors attribute this early peak in nursing to a need for increased caloric intake [Russell et al, 1997], we speculate that it is related to the learning curve required for the calf to become efficient at obtaining milk.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Therefore, the nonparametric statistical technique of bootstrapping, described in Clark and Odell [1999], was necessary to eliminate the problems associated with autocorrelation [Sokal and Rohlf, 1995]. The bootstrapping technique allowed calculation of parameter estimates, standard errors (SE), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).…”

Section: Age Growth and Morphometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

Robeck¹,

Monfort²,

Calle³

et al. 2005

Zoo Biology

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103

122

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Recent success propagating captive beluga has resulted from combined efforts by North American zoos and aquariums to manage disparate collections as a single population. This success has provided a tremendous opportunity to increase our understanding of beluga reproductive biology. Blood samples were collected on a weekly to biweekly basis from 23 female and 12 male beluga, ranging in age from 2-15 years, for analysis of serum progesterone (P) and testosterone (T), respectively. Peri-parturient observational data, including food intake, duration and signs of labor, and nursing patterns were collected from 15 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum during 21 births. Total body lengths and weights were collected from 10 captive-born beluga. For female beluga, the mean (7SD) age, body length, and weight at first conceptions were 9.172.8 years, 318.079.1 cm, and 519784 kg. Thirty-five luteal phases and 13 conceptions were detected from January-June, and 70% of luteal phases and 80% conceptions occurred from March-May. The mean luteal phase and total estrous cycle lengths were 30.076.5 days and 48.074.6 days, respectively. For male beluga, the mean age that males sired their first calf was 13.372.6 years. Compared to younger males (o8 years of age, 0.95 ng/ml), levels of T secretion in older males (48 years of age, 5.0 ng/ml) were elevated significantly only during the interval from January-April. Highest T concentrations (6.274.9 ng/ml) were recorded from January-March, whereas nadir concentrations (1.171.0 ng/ml) were detected from August-September. The mean gestation length was 475.0720.4 days (n ¼ 9). For parturition, the mean time from the first appearance of fluke or rostrum to delivery, delivery to placental passage, and delivery to nursing were 4.472.9 hr, 7.671.8 hr, and 43745 hr, respectively. All cows had decreased food intake on the day of delivery, with 44% having zero intake. Peak 24-hr nursing activity occurred 3.972.7 days post-partum. Growth (i.e., body weight and length) as a function of age were well described by the Gompertz model (r 2 ¼ 0.91, 0.93). Based on the model, growth in body weight and length were significantly greater in males compared to females. Predicted birth weight (88.9 kg) was similar for both sexes, however, and male calves were predicted to be shorter (154.3 cm) than female calves (160.7 cm). The results provide the first descriptions of captive beluga reproductive physiology, including endocrinology, peri-parturient behavior, growth, and reproductive maturity. This knowledge is important for helping to maintain genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of captive beluga whales.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Age Growth and Morphometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

Robeck¹,

Monfort²,

Calle³

et al. 2005

Zoo Biology

Self Cite

103

122

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“…Our observations of a female killer whale swimming on her back with a yearling swimming above her and bumping her teat area during apparent nursing is similar to published accounts of observations of nursing among captive and free-ranging killer whales Clark & Odell, 1999;, and unpublished video-documented observations (i.e., drone flight video ). Based on the size/age of the yearling in our observations, it is also possible that the mother rolled onto her back to terminate the nursing session, as similarly suggested occasionally for South Atlantic right whales (Payne, 1995;Payne & Dorsey, 1983;Sironi, 2004;.…”

Section: Apparent Nursingsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Based on the size/age of the yearling in our observations, it is also possible that the mother rolled onto her back to terminate the nursing session, as similarly suggested occasionally for South Atlantic right whales (Payne, 1995;Payne & Dorsey, 1983;Sironi, 2004;. Comparable behavior was observed among both captive and free-ranging killer whales in which, nursing occurred when the calf swam on its side at about a 45-degree angle with its mouth placed on either teat Clark & Odell, 1999).…”

Section: Apparent Nursingsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…Each of the two nursing positions lasted about 4 -5 min. Apparent nursing was based on the position of the yearling's mouth in proximity to the accompanying adult female's teats, the prolonged travel in this position, reports of similar nursing positions in captive killer whales Clark & Odell, 1999), the yearling's estimated age, and review of the photos by killer whale experts (K. Balcomb and D. Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research, personal communication, 19 and 22 January 2013, respectively).…”

Section: Killer Whale: Nursingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California

Smultea¹,

Fertl²,

Bacon³

et al. 2017

AB&C

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Splitting suckling data of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) neonates in human care into suckling bouts

Mayntz¹,

Amundin²

2003

Zoo Biology

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This study presents a first approach to determine a suckling bout criterion interval (BCI) by applying a log e frequency analysis to a dataset of Tursiops truncatus neonate feeding frequencies. The data were gathered by continuous observation on four calves 15-24 hr a day for the first 14 days postpartum. The study was conducted at the dolphinarium of the Kolma˚rden Wild Animal Park, Kolma˚rden, Sweden. Based on a total of 3,752 individual suckling intervals, a BCI of 107.7 sec was established. The relevance of this finding is discussed.

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Nursing parameters in captive killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Cited by 15 publications

References 27 publications

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

Cetacean mother-calf behavior observed from a small aircraft off Southern California

Splitting suckling data of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) neonates in human care into suckling bouts

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