They eat solid food consistently at about four months, which coincides with the emergence of the lower teeth. A calf begins to swim independently of its mother within days of its birth, although the mother stays close to her calf and attentively directs its movements. The baby swims close to its mother and can be carried in the mother's 'slip stream', a type of hydrodynamic wake that develops as the mother swims. This helps the baby swim with much less energy and keep up with the pod. Vocal behavior appears not to be genetically predetermined.
Calves learn during the course of development which calls to make and under what circumstances.
Vocal development studies at SeaWorld have determined that calves learn repertories of calls selectively from their mothers, though other killer whales may be present and vocalize more frequently. A calf can vocalize within days of birth, but sound production is shaped with age. At about two months, a calf produces its first pulsed calls with similarities to adult-type calls. From that point until puberty, a calf's vocal repertoire continues to expand. All Rights Reserved.