Urine-marking and ground-scratching by free-ranging Arctic Wolves, Canis lupus arctos, in summer

L.D. Mech

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USGS · 70028519

Urine-marking and ground-scratching by free-ranging Arctic Wolves, Canis lupus arctos, in summer

L.D. Mech

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Abstract

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.

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L.D. Mech. 2006. Urine-marking and ground-scratching by free-ranging Arctic Wolves, Canis lupus arctos, in summer. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70028519

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