Scent-marking in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) as a means of territory defense

Abstract

Beaver (Castor spp.) normally scent-mark by depositing castoreum and/or 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-marking behavior was studied during an entire year (April 1, 1995–March 31, 1996) in seven adjacent territories along 9.2 km of the BΦ River in Telemark County, Norway. The number and location of fresh scent marks were recorded biweekly. The main results showed that: (1) the number of scent marks in territories was significantly higher in spring, when dispersal of subadults normally occurs than during the rest of the year; (2) the number of scent marks was clumped near territorial borders; and (3) the number of scent marks was significantly greater upstream than downstream of the lodge.