Hauling-out is the behaviour, especially associated with pinnipeds (seals), of temporarily leaving the water between periods of foraging activity for sites on land or ice. Hauling-out is necessary in seals for mating (with the exception of the Baikal Seal) and giving birth, but not all haul-out sites are for reproduction. Other benefits of hauling-out may include predator avoidance, thermal regulation, social activity, parasite reduction and rest. There is much variety in haul-out patterns between different seal species.[1] Haul-out sites may be segregated by age and sex within the same species.[2] Australian Fur Seals breed on only nine islands in Bass Strait but also occupy up to 50 haul-out sites in south-east Australian waters.[3]
References
- ^ Hoelzel, A. Rus. (2002). Marine Mammal Biology: An Evolutionary Approach. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 9780632052325. p.197.
- ^ Kovacs, Kit M.; Jonas, Krista M.; & Welke, Sylvia E. (1990). Sex and age segregation by Phoca vitulina concolor at haul-out sites during the breeding season in the Passamaquoddy Bay region, New Brunswick. Marine Mammal Science 6(3): 204-214.
- ^ Gales, Nick; Gales, Nicholas; Hindell, Mark; & Kirkwood, Roger. (2003). Marine Mammals: Fisheries, Tourism and Management Issues. CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 9780643069534. p.259.
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