RECOGNITION BY THE EUROPEAN LYNX (LYNX LY NX, FELIDAE, CARNIVORA) OF THE SPECIES AND SEX AND AGE OF CONSPECIFIC, FAMILIAR, AND UNFAMILIAR INDIVIDUALS ACCORDING TO URINARY ODORS

The informative importance of urinary odors, which has virtually not b een studied in the wild Felidae, was evaluated in European lynxes kept in captivity. The behavior of lynxes during examination of urine samp les was described. The frequency and duration of all reactions were re corded: smelling, flehmen, and rubbing on urine. Significant differenc es in the reactions to the urine samples were most frequent as concern s the duration of smelling. Sexually mature recipient lynxes distingui shed the species (lynx or domestic cat) and sex and age (sexualy matur e or young) of conspecific individuals and recognized individual urine samples. Presentation of the frozen samples did not increase the dura tion of any reaction. The role of urine in chemocommunication of lynxe s is discussed.