F. Rosell et al., SCENT-MARKING IN THE EURASIAN BEAVER (CASTOR FIBER) AS A MEANS OF TERRITORY DEFENSE, Journal of chemical ecology, 24(2), 1998, pp. 207-219
Beaver (Castor spp.) normally scent-mark by depositing castoreum and/o
r anal gland secretion on scent mounds close to the water's edge. The
aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that the Eurasian
beaver (C. fiber) scent-marks as a means of territory defense. Scent-m
arking behavior was studied during an entire year (April 1, 1995-March
31, 1996) in seven adjacent territories along 9.2 km of the Bo River
in Telemark County, Norway. The number and location of fresh scent mar
ks were recorded biweekly. The main results showed that: (1) the numbe
r of scent marks in territories was significantly higher in spring, wh
en dispersal of subadults normally occurs than during the rest of the
year; (2) the number of scent marks was clumped near territorial borde
rs; and (3) the number of scent marks was significantly greater upstre
am than downstream of the lodge.