Nurturant behavior toward dead conspecifics in free-ranging mammals: new records for odontocetes and a general review

• Published in: Journal of mammalogy Vol. 97; no. 5; pp. 1428 - 1434
• Main Authors: Reggente, Melissa A. L., Alves, Filipe, Nicolau, Cátia, Freitas, Luís, Cagnazzi, Daniele, Baird, Robin W., Galli, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US American Society of Mammalogists 27.09.2016; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Aquatic mammals; Comparative analysis; Conspecifics; Delphinidae; Dolphins & porpoises; FEATURE ARTICLES; mammalian; Marine mammals; mourning; Oceans; perinatal mortality; Physeteridae; supportive behavior; Whales & whaling; Delphinidae; mammalian; supportive behavior; perinatal mortality; Physeteridae; mourning

Nurturant behavior toward dead conspecifics has been documented in several free-ranging marine and terrestrial mammals but still remains undocumented and poorly understood for most species. This study describes observations of adults carrying dead calves and juveniles in 7 odontocetes (toothed cetac...