ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION IN THE AARDWOLF, PROTELES CRISTATUS (CARNIVORA, HYAENIDAE)

Acoustic signalling behaviour of free-ranging and captive adult and ju venile aardwolves (Proteles cristatus) is described, based on sonagrap hic analyses of vocalizations and behavioural observations. In additio n to relying heavily on olfactory communication, the aardwolf uses div erse acoustic signals when interacting with conspecifics at close and medium range but seems to lack a true long-range vocalization. Vocaliz ations during agonistic interactions are the most diverse. About half of the species' 9 sound types presently documented belong to graded sy stems of sounds while the rest probably represents discrete types. It is not yet fully established whether all sound types Listed actually f unction as acoustic communication signals. As far as data are availabl e the acoustic signal repertoire of aardwolves is considerably differe nt from those of the other species of the Hyaenidae.