Temporal and Physical Characteristics of Scraping and Rubbing in Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Abstract

Rubs and scrapes of male roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) were censused in a 93-ha area in southern Sweden on eight occasions from March to October 1989. The function of these behaviors is unclear. They are associated with agonistic interactions, but also are considered territorial markings. Densities of rubs averaged 94.2/ha, and those of scrapes averaged 89.2/ha. Scraping had started by the first census in late March, peaked in late April, and decreased constantly through the territorial season. Rubbing started in early April, increased sharply during late April, and decreased in September after the breeding season. Two percent of the rubs and 5% of the scrapes were used more than once. Males preferred scraping in open mature forests, but preferred clearings with a high density of thin woody stems for rubbing. Males rubbed trees and bushes with stem diameters of 11–20 mm, avoiding the thinnest stems (≤10 mm). Among smaller trees (stem diameter ≤25 mm), males preferred pine ( Pinus sylvestris ), juniper ( Juniperus communis ), and bird-cherry ( Prunus padus ) and avoided oak ( Quercus robur ), birch ( Betula ), and rowan ( Sorbus aucuparia ). Only juniper was preferred among larger trees (stem diameter >25 mm). We suggest the primary function of rubs and scrapes is for communication between males, but that communication with females may have evolved secondarily.