Intentional stranding apprenticeship and social play in killer whales (Orcinus orca)

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Abstract
Over three hunting seasons, killer whales (Orcinus orca) from two pods were observed stranding intentionally on the beaches of Possession Island, Crozet Archipelago. Intentional stranding was performed principally by adult females to catch elephant seals on shore and during social play. Within a pod significant differences existed in the number of intentional strandings performed by individual females during hunting and also during "social beaching play." During intentional stranding, calves were associated with an adult female. Two calves were systematically associated with their mother, but one calf was associated significantly more with the two other pod females. This calf s mother stranded intentionally significantly less than the two other females. This suggests that alloparental "teaching" may occur within a pod according to the specific skills of the pod members.

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