Urine-marking and ground-scratching by free-ranging Arctic Wolves, Canis lupus arctos, in summer
January 1, 2006
Urine-marking and ground-scratching were observed in an Arctic Wolf (Canis lupus) pack on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada, during 16 summers between 1986 and 2005. All previously known urination postures and ground-scratching by breeding males and females were seen, and incidence of marking and scratching was greatest when non-pack wolves were present. Observations of urine-marking of food remains supported the conclusion from a captive Wolf study that such marking signals lack of edible food.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Title | Urine-marking and ground-scratching by free-ranging Arctic Wolves, Canis lupus arctos, in summer |
| Authors | L. D. Mech |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Canadian Field-Naturalist |
| Index ID | 70028519 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |