Scent‐deposition Behaviour in Alpine Marmots <i>(Marmota marmota</i> L.): its Role in Territorial Defence and Social Communication

Abstract

Abstract Scent‐deposition was investigated in Marmota marmota L. at Gran Paradiso National Park. 448 h of focal and scan sampling were performed on 22 marmots in four subsequent years. Results show that: (1) 97.4 % of the scent‐deposition is done within 25 m of the edge of the territories or of the main burrows (X 2 = 100.4, df 9, p &lt; 0.001); (2) being a reproducing adult is the most prominent factor in scent‐deposition (X 2 = 32.4, df = 18, p &lt; 0.002). The role of factors affecting scent‐deposition in territorial defence and social communication is discussed.