Scent marking strategies in hyaenas (Mammalia)

Abstract

Brown hyaenas scent mark by making latrines and depositing onto grass stalks two distinct secretions produced in their anal pouch. The latter behaviour is called pasting. Pastings are found spaced throughout a territory but mainly in the interior where the hyaenas spend most of their time. Latrines are clumped near to, but not along, the border. Computer analyses show that intruders encounter scent marks very soon after entering a territory. Comparison with other species indicates that the length of border to be marked by each individual in a group is the important factor in determining whether they mark throughout the territory or just along the border.