PATTERNS OF URINATION AND RUB-URINATION IN FEMALE WHITE-TAILED DEER

Urination and rub-urination frequencies of three free-ranging white-ta iled deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were observed over a 9-month period to determine circannual and diurnal variations. Normal urination aver aged 8.7/day while rub-urination averaged 1.2/day. Rub-urination most frequently occurred at night. Our observations support previous findin gs that urine is the primary source of the tarsal scent, and that freq uent rub-urination onto the tarsal gland is necessary to maintain semi ochemical cues.