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Risk sensitivity in female beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).

Matthew H Babb¹, Katherine L Flammer², Christina Spilker²

¹Department of Psychology, Georgia State University.

Journal of Comparative Psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983)

|April 9, 2026

Summary

Beluga whales exhibit individual differences in risk-taking behavior when faced with uncertain food rewards. These stable preferences were observed regardless of feeding schedules or previous outcomes, highlighting the importance of individual variation in animal decision-making.

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Area of Science:

Behavioral Ecology
Animal Cognition
Marine Mammal Science

Background:

Decision-making under uncertainty is crucial for survival across species.
Previous risk sensitivity studies have lacked diversity in study subjects.
Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) offer a novel model for studying risk preferences.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate risk sensitivity and decision-making in beluga whales.
To explore individual differences in risk preferences within a species.
To assess the influence of satiation and recent outcomes on risk-taking behavior.

Main Methods:

Four female beluga whales in human care were presented with foraging choices.
Choices offered identical mean reward but differed in variability (safe vs. risky option).
Behavioral responses were recorded across different times of day and trial histories.

Main Results:

Two beluga whales consistently chose the safe option, while two preferred the risky option.
Time of day (satiation) influenced preferences in some individuals but did not alter overall choices.
Individual risk preferences remained stable regardless of the outcome of the previous trial.

Conclusions:

Beluga whales display stable, individual differences in risk sensitivity.
Contextual factors like satiation and recent outcomes do not override established individual preferences.
Understanding individual variation is critical for comprehending animal decision-making processes.