Chew, shake, and tear: Prey processing in Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea)

• Published in: Marine mammal science Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 541 - 557
• Main Authors: Hocking, David P., Ladds, Monique A., Slip, David J., Fitzgerald, Erich M. G., Evans, Alistair R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beaufort Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Aquatic mammals; Carnivora; chewing; feeding morphology; Marine; Neophoca cinerea; oral processing; Otariidae; Pinnipedia; Prey; prey processing; Sea lions; Seals; Teeth; Australia

Pinnipeds generally target relatively small prey that can be swallowed whole, yet often include larger prey in their diet. To eat large prey, they must first process it into pieces small enough to swallow. In this study we explored the range of prey‐processing behaviors used by Australian sea lions...