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Abstract <p>The objective of this study was to determine whether the behavior of seals on ice and on shore rookeries differs, based on new data on molting and relaxation haulouts of Baikal seals (<i>Pusa sibirica</i> Gm.) occurring on floating ice in spring. Surveys conducted in the northern part of Lake Baikal in May–June 2022–2023 using small UAVs served as the material. As ice conditions are heterogeneous habitats, in the context of the research topic we distinguished seven ice types, where the size–age composition and density of animals in rookeries, the orientation of animals on ice relative to water, and their resting and sleeping position vary. On all ice types, adult females and males (55–62%) predominate in haulouts; the preferred orientation of seals is at the edge of the ice floe (44–82%), with their head towards the water (37–71%). The preferred resting and sleeping position is the safest for quickly leaving the ice if necessary: lying on the belly, with flippers pressed against the body (54–86%). The choice of ice floes for haulouts is likely to be determined by the physiological state of the seals, particularly the molting stage, based on the nature of the substrate (area and thickness of ice floes, and whether the surface is hard or “soft”). In late May and early June on different ice types, the relative number of seals with completed molting ranged from 22 to 76%. A comparison of the behavior patterns of seals in ice haulouts with their behavior in coastal rookeries showed that, when dispersed on ice, a larger minimum individual distance is maintained between the seals (commensurate with body size). This minimizes mutual contacts between animals, this being reflected by their behavior: most patterns of peaceful behavior described for seals lying on land are preserved, but neither aggressive nor even pacifying patterns are recorded. Various reactions of seals lying on ice to UAV flight were noted depending on the flight altitude, the number of seals in a group of haulouts, the type of ice (substrate), the physiological state of individuals (molting/molted), and individual behavioral characteristics.</p>

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Spring Ice Haulouts and Behavior of the Baikal Seal (Pusa sibirica Gmelin, 1788, Phocidae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月1日

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  • E. A. Petrov,
  • A. B. Kupchinsky,
  • A. A. Syrovatsky

摘要

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether the behavior of seals on ice and on shore rookeries differs, based on new data on molting and relaxation haulouts of Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica Gm.) occurring on floating ice in spring. Surveys conducted in the northern part of Lake Baikal in May–June 2022–2023 using small UAVs served as the material. As ice conditions are heterogeneous habitats, in the context of the research topic we distinguished seven ice types, where the size–age composition and density of animals in rookeries, the orientation of animals on ice relative to water, and their resting and sleeping position vary. On all ice types, adult females and males (55–62%) predominate in haulouts; the preferred orientation of seals is at the edge of the ice floe (44–82%), with their head towards the water (37–71%). The preferred resting and sleeping position is the safest for quickly leaving the ice if necessary: lying on the belly, with flippers pressed against the body (54–86%). The choice of ice floes for haulouts is likely to be determined by the physiological state of the seals, particularly the molting stage, based on the nature of the substrate (area and thickness of ice floes, and whether the surface is hard or “soft”). In late May and early June on different ice types, the relative number of seals with completed molting ranged from 22 to 76%. A comparison of the behavior patterns of seals in ice haulouts with their behavior in coastal rookeries showed that, when dispersed on ice, a larger minimum individual distance is maintained between the seals (commensurate with body size). This minimizes mutual contacts between animals, this being reflected by their behavior: most patterns of peaceful behavior described for seals lying on land are preserved, but neither aggressive nor even pacifying patterns are recorded. Various reactions of seals lying on ice to UAV flight were noted depending on the flight altitude, the number of seals in a group of haulouts, the type of ice (substrate), the physiological state of individuals (molting/molted), and individual behavioral characteristics.