scent marking
Chemical boundary setting
Scent marking is animal behavior in which an animal deposits odor from urine, feces, or specialized glands to communicate with others of its species.
The marks convey information about territory, reproductive status, or identity.
Dogs scent mark fire hydrants; cats rub their faces on furniture.
The tom was scent marking along the fence line.
- pheromonesSpecies-specific chemical messengers
- mammalWarm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- wild animalsUndomesticated fauna
- territorialityDefense of claimed space
- estersOrganic acid-alcohol derivatives
rubbing · ketones · steroids · spraying · sexual selection · mating season · courtship behavior · social bonding · dominant male · anal glands · terpenes · vocalizations · sweat glands · sniffing · survival strategies · animal · ecological niches · predator
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- animal signalsbody language, bird songs, tail wagging, mating calls, whale song
- pet behaviortail wagging, purring, kneading, growling, hissing
- territory defenseborder patrol, fence, wall, guard dog, alarm system
- primate signalsvocalizations, gestures, calls, facial expressions, hoots
- territorialityguarding, defending, border disputes, turf, patrols
sensory communication modality
scent markingvisual display
Visible output interface
birdsong · bioluminescence · roaring · howling · vocalization