Sandbathing as a territorial scent-mark in the bannertail kangaroo rat, Dipodomys spectabilis

Abstract

Sandbathing by the bannertail kangaroo rat, Dipodomys spectabilis, was studied in the laboratory and field to determine its possible function as a territorial scent-mark. Rats were tested for their responses to body oil and dorsal gland scents from familiar and unfamiliar rats and to the sandbathing sites of rats in different hormonal conditions. Field evidence showed that adult and juvenile rats of both sexes sandbathed at similar rates in their territories. Rats recognized scents of different conspecifics from body oils and dorsal gland secretions. The sandbathing marks of intact males, castrated males, oestrous females and non-oestrous females were equally attractive to rats in reproductive and non-reproductive conditions. Sandbathing scents apparently do not communicate information on reproductive status in this species. Rats sandbathe to scent-mark their territories and may use the scents to distinguish familiar neighbours from unfamiliar conspecifics. Neighbour recognition is probably important in maintaining the territorial social organization of D. spectabilis.