Talking With Elephant Seals

Confrontations between male northern elephant seals competing for access to females during the breeding season can lead to violent physical fights, but more often involve ritualized displays and vocalizations. UC Santa Cruz researchers combined observational and experimental approaches to determine what kind of information is encoded within the vocalizations of male elephant seals. They found that males use individual vocal signatures to recognize and respond to familiar opponents. This type of communication system, which relies on an individual's ability to learn the calls of familiar rivals, allows males to minimize the costs of conflict during breeding. For more information, visit pinnipedlab.ucsc.edu. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/ucsc/subscribe Visit UC Santa Cruz online: http://www.ucsc.edu/ Find out how to apply to UC Santa Cruz: http://admissions.ucsc.edu/ Connect with UC Santa Cruz online:   / ucsantacruz     / ucsc     / ucsc