Seal whiskers detect water movements

Guido Dehnhardt (), Björn Mauck and Horst Bleckmann
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Guido Dehnhardt: University of Bonn, Institute of Zoology
Björn Mauck: University of Bonn, Institute of Zoology
Horst Bleckmann: University of Bonn, Institute of Zoology

Nature, 1998, vol. 394, issue 6690, 235-236

Abstract: Abstract How do pinnipeds orientate themselves under water? As most pinniped species feed in conditions under which visibility is drastically reduced, for example at night, at great depths or in murky waters, it has been particularly unclear how they succeed in finding food. Here we show that harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) can use their whiskers to detect minute water movements. The high sensitivity of this sensory system should allow a seal to gain hydrodynamic information resulting from movements of other aquatic animals, such as prey, predators or conspecifics.

Date: 1998
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DOI: 10.1038/28303

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