Maternal-child relationship and recognition in Otaria flavescens (Shaw) (South American sea lion) and reactions of subadult males to cubs

Abstract

Maternal-child relationship and recognition in Otaria flavescens (Shaw) (South American sea lion) and reactions of subadult males to cubs?. The mother-infant diad of Otaria flavescens normally lasts about a year or less but can sometimes remain together for a longer period up to two years. The mother-young recognition is already mutual before 24 hours after birth has elapsed and is made by acoustic and olfactory cues. Subadult males react to isolated pups and to their vocalizations, attacking, biting, shaking and sometimes killing them.