ACTIVITY BUDGET OF MALE GRAY SEALS, HALICHOERUS-GRYPUS

Breeding activity budgets of male gray seals were estimated to determine how they are fine tuned to changing demands and to determine whether or not the limited body reserves produced by fasting act to minimize energetically demanding activities. Behaviors were divided into nonsocial and social activities with each category including active and inactive behaviors. The overall frequency of social behavior did not change throughout a male''s tenure but aggressive behavior decreased while sexual behavior increased. Even though resting accounted for the greatest proportion of activity, males that were most active had the greatest copulatory success, suggesting that fasting does not place severe limitations on their activity levels.