Seals engage in various behaviors that appear playful and serve purposes beyond mere survival. These activities suggest a complex behavioral repertoire, extending beyond basic needs like foraging or resting. Observing these behaviors can provide insight into the lives of these marine mammals.
Engaging in Playful Pursuits
Seals exhibit a range of active and energetic play behaviors. They frequently interact with objects found in their marine environment, such as kelp and holdfasts, which are the root-like structures anchoring kelp to the seafloor. Seals will chew on these, bring them to the surface, let them sink, and then retrieve them. They also play with other natural items like lobster molts, sticks, and shells. Even fish, initially intended for consumption, can become temporary playthings, with seals tossing them in the air before eating them.
Beyond object play, seals engage in dynamic movements in the water. They are often seen tumbling, rolling, and performing acrobatic maneuvers. These can include “porpoising,” where they swim rapidly just under the surface, or engaging in “high diving” and “streaking” behaviors. While often solitary, these pursuits showcase a seal’s individual expression and physical capabilities.
Social and Environmental Interactions
Seals also interact playfully with their environment and with each other. A common sight is seals riding waves, often joining surfers or paddling alongside boards. They can be observed catching waves and continuing to ride them. Playing in currents is another environmental interaction, where seals might use the water flow for movement or enjoyment.
Social play among seals involves gentle physical contact and exploratory behaviors. Pups and juveniles, in particular, engage in “gentle play-like contact” with mothers or other young seals, which can include tentative nosing, supine posturing, and exaggerated flipper movements. This type of interaction may also manifest as “mock fighting” or “play-fighting,” characterized by rolling over each other near the surface, gentle nudges, and sometimes splashing with fore-flippers. These interactions are distinct from aggressive encounters, which typically involve more intense biting and flipper slapping.
The Role of Play in Seal Life
Play behavior in seals serves several important functions. It contributes significantly to the development of skills necessary for survival. Through play, young seals practice and refine abilities such as hunting, evading predators, and navigating their underwater world. The agile movements and object manipulation observed during play help hone their coordination and reflexes, which are beneficial for capturing prey like fish.
Play also plays a role in social development and maintaining group cohesion. Gentle contact play, especially between mother and pup or among juveniles, helps reduce shyness and fosters social bonding. Engaging in play can also act as a form of enrichment and may help in stress reduction, contributing to a seal’s overall well-being.