Play in a captive breeding colony of harbour seals (Phoca
vitulina): constrained by time or by energy? Article first
published online: 23 MAR 2009 Journal of Zoology Volume 231,
Issue 3, pages 351–363, November 1993 How to Cite Renouf, D.
(1993), Play in a captive breeding colony of harbour seals
(Phoca vitulina): constrained by time or by energy?. Journal of
Zoology, 231: 351–363. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1993.tb01923.x -
Issue published online: 23 MAR 2009 - Article first published
online: 23 MAR 2009 - Accepted 21 July 1992 The play of a
breeding colony of captive harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) was
documented over a four-year period to identify changes
associated with seasonal variations in energy use, and to
corroborate previous field studies which were restricted to
observations at the hauling grounds during breeding and
moulting. Outside the breeding/moulting period, play was more
frequent and in some animals average daily food intake was
higher. Thyroid hormones did not vary seasonally in any clear
man