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M. G. L Mills - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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life history variables of an atypical mustelid the Honey Badger mellivora capensis
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:The Honey Badger, or ratel, Mellivora capensis has not been well studied and data on life-history variables have previously been incomplete and contradictory. Here we present data on life-history variables that were collected from visual observations as part of the first intensive study of free-living Honey Badgers (25 radio-marked individuals) and we make comparisons with other similarly sized mustelids (5–25 kg). The Honey Badger is a non-social species and only the mother rears the young. The data do not support delayed implantation as gestation was a maximum of 50–70 days with the unusually small litter size of one cub. The long time to independence of both male and female cubs (12–16 months) resulted in birth intervals longer than 12 months with no distinct breeding season. Overall the Honey Badger appears to have a more K-selected life history compared to other species within the Mustelidae.
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spatial organization of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis in the southern kalahari home range size and movement patterns
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:Radio-tracking locations of 25 individuals (13 females; 12 males) and visual observations of nine habituated individuals were used to investigate the spatial organization and movement patterns of the Honey Badger Mellivora capensis in the southern Kalahari. The home ranges of adult male Honey Badgers (541 ± 93 km2) were significantly larger than the home ranges of adult females (126 ± 13 km2). Female home-range size was five times larger than predicted from body mass. The extensive home ranges of females were likely to be a function of relatively low prey availability in the semi-arid Kalahari and the long period of cub dependence (12–16 months). While mean home-range overlap in females was moderate (13%) and home-range centres were regularly spaced, females did not appear to actively defend a territory and no direct interactions between females were observed. Scent marking appears to mediate spatio-temporal separation and females show a loosely territorial spacing pattern. In contrast, males did not support the typical mustelid pattern of intra-sexual territoriality but instead encompassed the overlapping home ranges of up to 13 females. Males and females differed significantly in their rate of travel (3.8 ± 0.3 km/h vs 2.7 ± 0.2km/h), straight line (6.2 ± 0.5 km vs 2.4 ± 0.2 km) and actual distance (13.8 ± 0.9 km vs 7.7 ± 0.7 km) moved during an active period but do not differ in the percentage of their home-range area traversed in a single day (3%). Young males tended to have smaller home ranges (151 ± 45 km2) than adult males and showed a spacing pattern more similar to adult females than adult males. In common with other solitary mustelids, the spatial organization suggests a polygynous or promiscuous mating system.
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scent marking behaviour of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis mustelidae in the southern kalahari
Animal Behaviour, 2003Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat marking occurred under a wide range of conditions in both males and females and may be related to marking valuable resources. It is likely that scent marking in Honey Badgers has many functions. 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
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Sexual and seasonal variation in the diet and foraging behaviour of a sexually dimorphic carnivore, the Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)
Journal of Zoology, 2003Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, Johan T Du Toit, M. G. L MillsAbstract:The Honey Badger, or ratel, Mellivora capensis has not been well studied despite its extensive distribution. As part of the first detailed study, visual observations of nine habituated free-living individuals (five females, four males) were used to investigate seasonal, annual and sexual differences in diet and foraging behaviour. Theory predicts that generalist predators ‘switch’ between alternative prey species depending on which prey species are currently most abundant, and diet breadth expands in response to decreased availability of preferred food types. There were significant seasonal differences in the consumption of eight prey categories related to changes in prey availability but no seasonal differences in food intake per kg of body mass. As predicted, the cold-dry season diet was characterized by low species richness and low foraging yield but high dietary diversity, while the reverse wastrueinthe hot-dry and hot-wet seasons. In accordance with these predictions, results suggest that the Honey Badger maintains its intake level by food switching and by varying dietary breadth. Despite marked sexual size dimorphism, male and female Honey Badgers showed no intersexual differences in prey size, digging success, daily food intake per unit bodyweight or foraging behaviour. Results do not support the hypothesis that size dimorphism is primarily an adaptation to reduce intersexual competition for food.
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(Mustelidae), in the southern Kalahari
2002Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, J T Du Toit, M. G. L MillsAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching ’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat markin
C. M. Begg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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life history variables of an atypical mustelid the Honey Badger mellivora capensis
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:The Honey Badger, or ratel, Mellivora capensis has not been well studied and data on life-history variables have previously been incomplete and contradictory. Here we present data on life-history variables that were collected from visual observations as part of the first intensive study of free-living Honey Badgers (25 radio-marked individuals) and we make comparisons with other similarly sized mustelids (5–25 kg). The Honey Badger is a non-social species and only the mother rears the young. The data do not support delayed implantation as gestation was a maximum of 50–70 days with the unusually small litter size of one cub. The long time to independence of both male and female cubs (12–16 months) resulted in birth intervals longer than 12 months with no distinct breeding season. Overall the Honey Badger appears to have a more K-selected life history compared to other species within the Mustelidae.
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spatial organization of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis in the southern kalahari home range size and movement patterns
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:Radio-tracking locations of 25 individuals (13 females; 12 males) and visual observations of nine habituated individuals were used to investigate the spatial organization and movement patterns of the Honey Badger Mellivora capensis in the southern Kalahari. The home ranges of adult male Honey Badgers (541 ± 93 km2) were significantly larger than the home ranges of adult females (126 ± 13 km2). Female home-range size was five times larger than predicted from body mass. The extensive home ranges of females were likely to be a function of relatively low prey availability in the semi-arid Kalahari and the long period of cub dependence (12–16 months). While mean home-range overlap in females was moderate (13%) and home-range centres were regularly spaced, females did not appear to actively defend a territory and no direct interactions between females were observed. Scent marking appears to mediate spatio-temporal separation and females show a loosely territorial spacing pattern. In contrast, males did not support the typical mustelid pattern of intra-sexual territoriality but instead encompassed the overlapping home ranges of up to 13 females. Males and females differed significantly in their rate of travel (3.8 ± 0.3 km/h vs 2.7 ± 0.2km/h), straight line (6.2 ± 0.5 km vs 2.4 ± 0.2 km) and actual distance (13.8 ± 0.9 km vs 7.7 ± 0.7 km) moved during an active period but do not differ in the percentage of their home-range area traversed in a single day (3%). Young males tended to have smaller home ranges (151 ± 45 km2) than adult males and showed a spacing pattern more similar to adult females than adult males. In common with other solitary mustelids, the spatial organization suggests a polygynous or promiscuous mating system.
-
scent marking behaviour of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis mustelidae in the southern kalahari
Animal Behaviour, 2003Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat marking occurred under a wide range of conditions in both males and females and may be related to marking valuable resources. It is likely that scent marking in Honey Badgers has many functions. 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
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Sexual and seasonal variation in the diet and foraging behaviour of a sexually dimorphic carnivore, the Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)
Journal of Zoology, 2003Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, Johan T Du Toit, M. G. L MillsAbstract:The Honey Badger, or ratel, Mellivora capensis has not been well studied despite its extensive distribution. As part of the first detailed study, visual observations of nine habituated free-living individuals (five females, four males) were used to investigate seasonal, annual and sexual differences in diet and foraging behaviour. Theory predicts that generalist predators ‘switch’ between alternative prey species depending on which prey species are currently most abundant, and diet breadth expands in response to decreased availability of preferred food types. There were significant seasonal differences in the consumption of eight prey categories related to changes in prey availability but no seasonal differences in food intake per kg of body mass. As predicted, the cold-dry season diet was characterized by low species richness and low foraging yield but high dietary diversity, while the reverse wastrueinthe hot-dry and hot-wet seasons. In accordance with these predictions, results suggest that the Honey Badger maintains its intake level by food switching and by varying dietary breadth. Despite marked sexual size dimorphism, male and female Honey Badgers showed no intersexual differences in prey size, digging success, daily food intake per unit bodyweight or foraging behaviour. Results do not support the hypothesis that size dimorphism is primarily an adaptation to reduce intersexual competition for food.
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(Mustelidae), in the southern Kalahari
2002Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, J T Du Toit, M. G. L MillsAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching ’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat markin
K. S. Begg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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life history variables of an atypical mustelid the Honey Badger mellivora capensis
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:The Honey Badger, or ratel, Mellivora capensis has not been well studied and data on life-history variables have previously been incomplete and contradictory. Here we present data on life-history variables that were collected from visual observations as part of the first intensive study of free-living Honey Badgers (25 radio-marked individuals) and we make comparisons with other similarly sized mustelids (5–25 kg). The Honey Badger is a non-social species and only the mother rears the young. The data do not support delayed implantation as gestation was a maximum of 50–70 days with the unusually small litter size of one cub. The long time to independence of both male and female cubs (12–16 months) resulted in birth intervals longer than 12 months with no distinct breeding season. Overall the Honey Badger appears to have a more K-selected life history compared to other species within the Mustelidae.
-
spatial organization of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis in the southern kalahari home range size and movement patterns
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:Radio-tracking locations of 25 individuals (13 females; 12 males) and visual observations of nine habituated individuals were used to investigate the spatial organization and movement patterns of the Honey Badger Mellivora capensis in the southern Kalahari. The home ranges of adult male Honey Badgers (541 ± 93 km2) were significantly larger than the home ranges of adult females (126 ± 13 km2). Female home-range size was five times larger than predicted from body mass. The extensive home ranges of females were likely to be a function of relatively low prey availability in the semi-arid Kalahari and the long period of cub dependence (12–16 months). While mean home-range overlap in females was moderate (13%) and home-range centres were regularly spaced, females did not appear to actively defend a territory and no direct interactions between females were observed. Scent marking appears to mediate spatio-temporal separation and females show a loosely territorial spacing pattern. In contrast, males did not support the typical mustelid pattern of intra-sexual territoriality but instead encompassed the overlapping home ranges of up to 13 females. Males and females differed significantly in their rate of travel (3.8 ± 0.3 km/h vs 2.7 ± 0.2km/h), straight line (6.2 ± 0.5 km vs 2.4 ± 0.2 km) and actual distance (13.8 ± 0.9 km vs 7.7 ± 0.7 km) moved during an active period but do not differ in the percentage of their home-range area traversed in a single day (3%). Young males tended to have smaller home ranges (151 ± 45 km2) than adult males and showed a spacing pattern more similar to adult females than adult males. In common with other solitary mustelids, the spatial organization suggests a polygynous or promiscuous mating system.
-
scent marking behaviour of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis mustelidae in the southern kalahari
Animal Behaviour, 2003Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat marking occurred under a wide range of conditions in both males and females and may be related to marking valuable resources. It is likely that scent marking in Honey Badgers has many functions. 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
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Sexual and seasonal variation in the diet and foraging behaviour of a sexually dimorphic carnivore, the Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)
Journal of Zoology, 2003Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, Johan T Du Toit, M. G. L MillsAbstract:The Honey Badger, or ratel, Mellivora capensis has not been well studied despite its extensive distribution. As part of the first detailed study, visual observations of nine habituated free-living individuals (five females, four males) were used to investigate seasonal, annual and sexual differences in diet and foraging behaviour. Theory predicts that generalist predators ‘switch’ between alternative prey species depending on which prey species are currently most abundant, and diet breadth expands in response to decreased availability of preferred food types. There were significant seasonal differences in the consumption of eight prey categories related to changes in prey availability but no seasonal differences in food intake per kg of body mass. As predicted, the cold-dry season diet was characterized by low species richness and low foraging yield but high dietary diversity, while the reverse wastrueinthe hot-dry and hot-wet seasons. In accordance with these predictions, results suggest that the Honey Badger maintains its intake level by food switching and by varying dietary breadth. Despite marked sexual size dimorphism, male and female Honey Badgers showed no intersexual differences in prey size, digging success, daily food intake per unit bodyweight or foraging behaviour. Results do not support the hypothesis that size dimorphism is primarily an adaptation to reduce intersexual competition for food.
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(Mustelidae), in the southern Kalahari
2002Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, J T Du Toit, M. G. L MillsAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching ’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat markin
Tracy A Villareal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Summer diatom blooms in the eastern North Pacific gyre investigated with a long-endurance autonomous surface vehicle.
PeerJ, 2018Co-Authors: Emily E Anderson, Cara Wilson, Anthony H Knap, Tracy A VillarealAbstract:Satellite chlorophyll a (chl a) observations have repeatedly noted summertime phytoplankton blooms in the North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG), a region of open ocean that is far removed from any land-derived or Ekman upwelling nutrient sources. These blooms are dominated by N2-fixing diatom-cyanobacteria associations of the diatom genera Rhizosolenia Brightwell and Hemiaulus Ehrenberg. Their nitrogen fixing endosymbiont, Richelia intracellularis J.A. Schmidt, is hypothesized to be critical to the development of blooms in this nitrogen limited region. However, due to the remote location and unpredictable duration of the summer blooms, prolonged in situ observations are rare outside of the Station ALOHA time-series off of Hawai’i. In summer, 2015, a proof-of-concept mission using the autonomous vehicle, Honey Badger (Wave Glider SV2; Liquid Robotics, a Boeing company, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), collected near-surface (
J T Du Toit - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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life history variables of an atypical mustelid the Honey Badger mellivora capensis
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:The Honey Badger, or ratel, Mellivora capensis has not been well studied and data on life-history variables have previously been incomplete and contradictory. Here we present data on life-history variables that were collected from visual observations as part of the first intensive study of free-living Honey Badgers (25 radio-marked individuals) and we make comparisons with other similarly sized mustelids (5–25 kg). The Honey Badger is a non-social species and only the mother rears the young. The data do not support delayed implantation as gestation was a maximum of 50–70 days with the unusually small litter size of one cub. The long time to independence of both male and female cubs (12–16 months) resulted in birth intervals longer than 12 months with no distinct breeding season. Overall the Honey Badger appears to have a more K-selected life history compared to other species within the Mustelidae.
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spatial organization of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis in the southern kalahari home range size and movement patterns
Journal of Zoology, 2005Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:Radio-tracking locations of 25 individuals (13 females; 12 males) and visual observations of nine habituated individuals were used to investigate the spatial organization and movement patterns of the Honey Badger Mellivora capensis in the southern Kalahari. The home ranges of adult male Honey Badgers (541 ± 93 km2) were significantly larger than the home ranges of adult females (126 ± 13 km2). Female home-range size was five times larger than predicted from body mass. The extensive home ranges of females were likely to be a function of relatively low prey availability in the semi-arid Kalahari and the long period of cub dependence (12–16 months). While mean home-range overlap in females was moderate (13%) and home-range centres were regularly spaced, females did not appear to actively defend a territory and no direct interactions between females were observed. Scent marking appears to mediate spatio-temporal separation and females show a loosely territorial spacing pattern. In contrast, males did not support the typical mustelid pattern of intra-sexual territoriality but instead encompassed the overlapping home ranges of up to 13 females. Males and females differed significantly in their rate of travel (3.8 ± 0.3 km/h vs 2.7 ± 0.2km/h), straight line (6.2 ± 0.5 km vs 2.4 ± 0.2 km) and actual distance (13.8 ± 0.9 km vs 7.7 ± 0.7 km) moved during an active period but do not differ in the percentage of their home-range area traversed in a single day (3%). Young males tended to have smaller home ranges (151 ± 45 km2) than adult males and showed a spacing pattern more similar to adult females than adult males. In common with other solitary mustelids, the spatial organization suggests a polygynous or promiscuous mating system.
-
scent marking behaviour of the Honey Badger mellivora capensis mustelidae in the southern kalahari
Animal Behaviour, 2003Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, M. G. L Mills, J T Du ToitAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat marking occurred under a wide range of conditions in both males and females and may be related to marking valuable resources. It is likely that scent marking in Honey Badgers has many functions. 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
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(Mustelidae), in the southern Kalahari
2002Co-Authors: C. M. Begg, K. S. Begg, J T Du Toit, M. G. L MillsAbstract:We investigated sexual and seasonal patterns in scent-marking behaviour of the Honey Badger, by direct observations of habituated individuals (five females, four adult males, two young males). Four categories of scent-marking behaviour were identified: (1) scent marking at latrines; (2) token urination in holes along the foraging path; (3) squat marking at single-use sites; and (4) functional excretion. Females and young males used all four types of scent marking, but adult males were not observed to use token urination. A strategy of hinterland scent marking was used, as was predicted from the large home ranges of both male and female Honey Badgers. There were significant sexual differences in marking rate: adult males primarily used latrines and adult females favoured token urination. Latrine scent marking in adult male Honey Badgers provides support for the ‘scent-matching ’ hypothesis. Females visited latrines when they were in oestrus. However, the low level of marking activity during a visit and the intensive smelling suggested a scent-matching function rather than reproductive advertisement. Token urination appeared to be related to the maintenance of spatiotemporal separation in females, although we also observed token urination in young males. While the placement of urine in foraging holes and its relation with successful digging attempts offer some support for the foraging efficiency hypothesis, we consider this unlikely, because we did not observe it in adult males and there was no seasonal pattern. Squat markin