RESEARCHERS in the North East have proved there is no such thing as an average seal.
Their study has shown that grey seals have different types of personality which affects the extent to which they guard and care for their young.
Researchers from Durham University and the University of St Andrews found that seal mothers are often unpredictable and adopt a wide variation of mothering styles when it comes to checking on their pups.
Some are very attentive while others are not, the researchers found in a study which has implications for the major grey seal colony on the Farne Islands off Northumberland.
The study highlights, for the first time, the extent of personality differences in marine mammals in the wild.
It shows how individual animals have differing behavioural styles, and how they may be limited in their ability to respond to different environments – a concern in a world of rapid environmental change.
The study could have benefits for future conservation policy and habitat management .
Researchers observed seals on the Scottish island of North Rona during the breeding season between September and November over two years.
Using a remote controlled vehicle with a fitted video camera, the researchers set up tests to assess how seals react to potential threats, including approaches by the vehicle and wolf calls played from the vehicle, triggered by the operator controlling the car.
The seals’ responses ranged from disinterest to aggressive.
The team checked the responses of seal mothers by recording the number of pup checks made, where the mother raises her head off the ground and moves it in the direction of her young to check their well-being, during a specific time period.
Female seals varied considerably in their responses to the remote controlled vehicle from almost completely ignoring its presence to pushing it with their muzzles.
Lead author Dr Sean Twiss, of the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Durham University, said: “Our findings show that there is no such thing as an average seal. Individuals behave differently and do so consistently.
“We found that some seal mothers are very watchful when something potentially threatening approaches them, while other mums barely check their pups at all.
“Why female grey seals express individually consistent patterns of pup checking is unknown. Our results show large differences in response to the same potential dangers.”
The researchers also checked the response of male seals to the remote controlled vehicle and logged a wide range of reactions from rapid retreat to threatening behaviour
Some males, particularly the dominant ones, were consistently alert and aggressive, and challenged the RCV; others were much more cautious and moved away.
Further studies could help biologists understand whether such behaviour patterns limit the ability of individuals, and potentially species, to adapt to climate or habitat change.
Dr Twiss said: “We can see that grey seals are individuals and we want to find out if having different personalities and behaviour helps seals and other animals in the wild, or whether it does limit their ability to cope with change.”
