Some animal societies are ruled by despots with an iron fist, while others seem naturally egalitarian – and they all have lessons for us.

It is intolerable

It is intolerable

Beluga whales live in complex societies, but their social structure and cultural lives are poorly described compared to those of some other cetaceans. In this review, we summarize the evidence for fission-fusion social dynamics, sexual segregation, male alliances, female social structure, multilevel sociality, and cultural traditions among belugas. We compile evidence of atomistic, individual-based social dynamics within beluga societies. We show that most beluga societies are sexually segregated, although there is considerable intra-specific variation in the social structure of belugas. Our review of research on male beluga sociality reveals that males sometimes associate closely, and that these associations can last for weeks to months. Further research is needed to determine whether these associations are stable and long-lived, as in other cetaceans. Our examination of female beluga sociality, including our assessment of the influence of maternal kinship, reveals equivocal findings. Growing evidence suggests that female beluga sociality is partly driven by maternal kinship, and that the degree to which female belugas associate with kin may vary seasonally. Therefore, female beluga sociality may be best defined as “matrifocal” rather than “matrilineal”. We review the evidence supporting a multilevel social structure among belugas and suggest four possible social levels: the mother-calf dyad, the group, the herd, and the community. Finally, we discuss migratory and vocal culture among belugas. Our review showcases the complex social lives of this enigmatic species and highlights important areas for future research.

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