PATTERNS OF URINATION OF A BLIND SUBTERRANEAN RODENT, SPALAX-EHRENBERGI

Urination patterns of blind mole rats of the Spalax ehrenbergi supersp ecies of Israel were investigated in the laboratory under various cond itions in various types of simulated tunnel systems. Behavioral respon ses to urine in these systems were observed. The results suggest that mole rats do not mark their tunnels or novel areas, either along the t unnel floor by dropping a urine-trail or at the peripheral ends of the tunnel systems. Urination is not a fear response, and the urine does not contain a chemosensory releaser. Intruders respond (e.g. by sniffi ng, running away, aggressive threat displays etc.) to occupant's urine in a previously occupied system, and some occupants urinate at a bord er in 'no-contact' encounters with a potential intruder. Male and fema le mole rats seem to use urine to advertise their ownership of resourc es by placing their sanitation areas in the vicinity of the nest and f ood store and mau advertise their identity and occupancy at borders wh en there is potential contact with intruders. Likely similarities betw een urination patterns in the laboratory and in nature are discussed.