More information:

Nel, J.A.J. and du P. Bothma, J. 1983. Scent marking and midden use by aardwolves (Proteles cristatus) in the Namib Desert. African Journal of Ecology, 21(1): 25–39

Description:

Scent marking and midden use by aardwolves (Proteles cristatus) in the Namib Desert.

Summary / Notes:

Aardwolves have two methods of paste marking with anal gland secretion, resulting in minute spots or smears 2–3 mm or more long. These minute spots could aid in the recognition of areas foraged over during the same night, while the larger smears are commonly found at middens or burrows and probably indicate important areas of the home range. The rate of marking by an individual on different nights, or different individuals on the same night, differ markedly and one aardwolf can mark consecutively at different heights. Defaecation takes place at middens and defaecations are buried initially. There is a gradual transition in young individuals from leaving faeces uncovered, to burying them. An aardwolf can defaecate at more than one midden during a night; conversely several individuals can utilize a particular midden on the same night.

Year: 1983

Type: Journal Article

URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2028.1983.tb00310.x/abstract