Tongue Nibbling in Killer Whales (Orcinus orca)

Published: 28 May 2025| Version 1 | DOI: 10.17632/xj2yxc3cwp.1
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Description

This dataset comprises high-definition video recordings documenting tongue-nibbling behaviour in killer whales (Orcinus orca) observed both under human care at Loro Parque (Orca Ocean, Tenerife, Spain) and in a wild population off the coast of northern Norway. Tongue-nibbling is a rare and understudied tactile interaction with potential affiliative and social bonding functions. The dataset includes: One video file recorded in 2024 in Tverrfjorden (Norway), showing a detailed instance of tongue-nibbling between two wild individuals. Footage captured by Allison Kelly Estevez, and Michael Estevez One video recorded during a ethological study in Loro Parque, illustrating repeated occurrences of the same behaviour in 2013.

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Institutions

Universidad de La Laguna

Categories

Zoology, Life Sciences, Ethology

Funding

Loro Parque Fundación

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