Scent-Marking Behavior by Woodchucks (Marmota monax)

1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-P. Ouellet ◽  
J. Ferron
Keyword(s):  
Scent Marking ◽  
Marmota Monax

Experimental demonstration that scent marking can predict dominance in the woodchuck, Marmota monax

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paule Hébert ◽  
Cyrille Barrette
Keyword(s):  
Scent Marking ◽  
Encounter Rate ◽  
Experimental Demonstration ◽  
Sex Composition ◽  
Scent Marks ◽  
Dominance Status ◽  
Marmota Monax ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Future Status

Scent marking is known to be related to dominance in mammals. Here we ask whether the isolated scent from the oral glands of woodchucks (Marmota monax) can advertise dominance. The scent of an individual was presented to a conspecific before the two met and could establish a dominance–subordination relationship. For all 19 dyads that would later express aggressive dominance, the individual pre-encounter rate of scent marking was the same no matter the sex, composition of the dyad, or the future status of the individual. However, when they were presented with scent marks of a conspecific (before meeting the marker), future subordinates marked the scent of future dominants more than vice versa (Mann–Whitney U-test, Z = 2.246, [Formula: see text]). The status of members of dyads was accurately predicted from the pre-encounter marking performance in 14 of the 19 dyads (χ2 = 3.368; 0.10 > p > 0.05). This suggests that scent, by itself, conveys information on the dyadic dominance status of an individual relative to the receiver of the olfactory signal.

Étude du marquage olfactif chez la marmotte commune (Marmota monax) en captivité

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 1720-1725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paule Hébert ◽  
Jacques Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Direct Relation ◽  
Agonistic Interactions ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Marmota Monax ◽  
Captive Group ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Similar Decrease ◽  
Breeding Status

The study of a captive group of woodchucks (Marmota monax) has confirmed the occurrence in this species of a cheek- and chin-rubbing behaviour associated with scent marking. The frequency of this behaviour is high in the spring breeding season and decreases markedly during summer, following a similar decrease in breeding activities. We found no direct relation between hierarchical status and scent-marking rates of individual woodchucks whereas a positive correlation was found between monthly rates of scent marking and agonistic interactions. Dominant individuals sometimes scent marked after agonistic encounters. Scent marking occurred most often during exploration and all individuals used the same marking sites: along paths between burrows and at burrow entrances. Despite the limitations imposed by our captivity conditions, our results seem to agree with the following hypotheses: (i) scent marking could contribute to inform conspecifics about the breeding status of each individual; (ii) in certain circumstances, it may constitute an agonistic signal and enhance the expression of dominance; (iii) it could contribute to the familiarization of the individual with its own environment.

Methods of scent marking in the domestic cat

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary N. Feldman
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Tree Bark ◽  
Scent Mark ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
The Face ◽  
Visual Mark

Carnivores use various scent-marking methods. Semi-feral domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) were observed to use the same means as their wild counterparts. Adult males performed most urine spray marking. Cats scratched tree bark, producing a visual mark, and probably used trees both as markers and for claw sharpening. Most scratching trees were located along frequently used paths rather than along territorial boundaries or scattered randomly throughout a home range. Bark consistency affected the tree species that were scratched, with soft bark preferred. Although deposition of faeces and urine was recorded, there was no clear evidence for their use as territorial markers; cats primarily eliminated away from the core area of the home range. Most faeces were buried, although exposed deposits were also observed. Cats also rubbed against objects, probably using glandular secretions from the face and tail areas to scent mark. Males rubbed objects more than females, and males scent marked more. Individual males may use different means of scent marking. Scent marking in this study supports the idea that cats do not defend territories, instead patrolling and reinforcing marks throughout a looser home range. The suggestion has been made that different forms of marking may serve separate signalling functions.

The Relation of Scent-Marking, Olfactory Investigation, and Specific Postures in the Isolation-Induced Fighting of Rats

Behaviour ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 286-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Scent Marking ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Threat Behavior ◽  
Typical Sequence ◽  
Strange Male ◽  
Familiar Environment ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Temporal Sequences ◽  
Defensive Mechanism

AbstractThe temporal sequences of acts and postures of rats during tests for isolation-induced fighting were recorded and analyzed. Scent-marking and olfactory investigation, which have been related to fighting by previous studies, were particularly emphasized. From the data a model was constructed for the sequence of behaviors which lead to and maintain isolation-induced fighting. The typical sequence begins with olfactory investigation and scent-marking; the home rat initially investigates the intruder, and the intruder initially investigates the cage. The combination of olfactory perception of a strange male and a familiar environment, it was suggested, serves to trigger an offensive mechanism in the home rat which leads to bite-and-kick attack and offensive sideways posture. The pain of the attack then triggers defensive mechanism in the intruder rat which leads to defensive upright posture and submissive posture. Whereas the functional role of the bite-and-kick attack appears to be simply the infliction of pain and elicitation of defense in the intruder, the function of offensive sideways posture as a threat behavior may be more complex. It is possible that it becomes a conditioned pain stimulus due to its close temporal pairing with bite-and-kick attack, but it is more likely that it produces defense by a process of sensitization. In any case, following the initial attack, the offensive sideways posture continues to elicit defensive behavior by the intruder even when there are no further attacks. The functional roles of the defensive postures were interpreted as positioning the intruder in such a way that the home rat cannot assume the aggressive posture from which attack is launched. Scent-marking behavior was consistent within strains, within individuals, and across different types of measures (accumulation of scent-marking marking material and performance of the stereotyped scent-marking act, crawl-over-dish). Amount of scent-marking was not correlated with attack, however, and its role in isolation-induced fighting remains unclear. In parallel to findings in other rodents, it was observed that scent-marking was diminished in animals after they had been subjected to attack.

Scent marking in the musk shrew (Suncus murinus)

1987 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 677-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leeanne E. Tennant ◽  
Emilie F. Rissman ◽  
F.H. Bronson
Keyword(s):  
Scent Marking ◽  
Suncus Murinus ◽  
Musk Shrew

Fertility status, dominance, and scent marking behavior of family-housed female cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in absence of their mothers

1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Heistermann ◽  
Eckhard Kleis ◽  
Ekkehard Pröve ◽  
Hans-Jürgen Wolters
Keyword(s):  
Scent Marking ◽  
Saguinus Oedipus ◽  
Fertility Status

Observations on the behaviour and ecology of the Common Wombat Vombatus ursinus in northeast Tasmania.

1993 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
R.J. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Common Wombat ◽  
The Common

Aspects of the behaviour and ecology of Vombatus ursinus were studied in largely cleared agricultural land in a coastal area in northeast Tasmania. The average density of V. ursinus was 20 individuals.km-2 over the whole study area but around 60.km-2 in an intensively studied section. Burrows were concentrated in areas of sandy soil where a dense cover of native vegetation had been maintained. Only short, shallow burrows were present in areas of dolerite, probably because of the difficulty of digging. Home-ranges of different individuals overlapped. Wombats were not active continually through the night and varied in time of emergence from their burrow and the time spent above ground. Often more than one burrow was used on the same night, with more than one individual making use of a burrow, but usually not at the same time. Disputes over the use of burrows occurred. Individuals frequently sniffed around burrows and investigated for the presence of occupants. Males may use this as a strategy for finding females in oestrus. Mating behaviour was observed once. Wombats are solitary and actively avoid the presence of others. Odour in faecal pellets and from scent marking probably plays an important social role by providing information on the individuals sharing a home-range and the occurrence of strangers. Dominant animals may be intolerant of the presence of certain individuals within their home-range.

Effects of Exogenous Testosterone on the Scent-Marking and Agonistic Behaviors of White-Tailed Deer

1992 ◽  
pp. 477-484
Author(s):  
James R. Fudge ◽  
Karl V. Miller ◽  
R. Larry Marchinton ◽  
Delwood C. Collins ◽  
Thomas R. Tice
Keyword(s):  
Scent Marking
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