Por que os botos, baleias e golfinhos saltam? uma revisão das hipóteses explicativas sobre os saltos

Abstract

Aerial behavior or surface behavior, such as leaps, are seen in porpoises, dolphins and great whales. Some hypotheses have been proposed by several researchers, although none of them have been tested enough. The probably most divulged one suggests that these events could be used for communication. A second hypothesis suggests these events are used as foraging strategies. Another one mentions that aerial behavior would be a way for animals to remove parasites or commensals from their bodies. A fourth hypothesis interprets this behavior as extreme irritation or play, while the fifth one sees it as a simple and precise energy discharge. Another hypothesis suggests that these events are used for sexual behavior. A last hypothesis sees these events could be used to reinforce social bonding and to promote animals physicalmotor development. The number of hypotheses reflects the multifunctional nature of leaps, due to the varied number of contexts in which they can occur.