Wege, MiaBester, Marthan NieuwoudtVan der Merwe, Derek S.Postma, Martin2011-11-082011-11-082011-09Wege, M, Bester, MN, Van Der Merwe, DS & Postma, M 2011, Oedipus complex in an Antarctic fur seal pup?', Journal of Ethology, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 505-507.0289-0771 (print)1439-5444 (online)10.1007/s10164-001-0273-1http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17519We present the first evidence of a possible case of the Oedipus complex in a nonprimate. An Antarctic fur seal pup, Arctocephalus gazella, unsuccessfully directed what appeared to be copulatory behaviour towards its own mother on several occasions. A herding sub-adult bull chased the pup from the female, which strengthens our suggestion that it was copulatory behaviour we witnessed. This seemed to constitute innocent sexual play with elements of the Oedipus complex rather than coercion because the female was not stressed nor did the pup possess the physical strength to coerce the female.en© Japan Ethological Society and Springer 2011. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comAntarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella)Arctocephalus gazellaSexual coercionSexual playOedipus complexSouthern fur seals -- Prince Edward Islands -- Marion IslandSeals (Animals) -- Sexual behaviorPostprint Article