Seasonal Variation in Latrine Site Visitation and Scent Marking by Nearctic River Otters (Lontra canadensis)
2008
Zachary H. Olson | Thomas L. Serfass | Olin E. Rhodes, Jr.
We combined analyses of visitation (using remote cameras) and scent marking (using traditional sign surveys) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms underlying variation in river otter scent marking at latrine sites and to verify that river otter scent marking varies seasonally in Pennsylvania and Maryland. We observed seasonal peaks in total scent marking in the fall (September) and in the spring (March) similar to those previously reported. Group sizes of river otters visiting latrines were higher in the fall than any other season and anal sac secretions were documented only from February through mid-June. We attribute the fall peak in scent marking to family groups traveling together to latrine sites and the spring peak in scent marking to communication during the breeding season. Based on seasonal variation in the periodicity of river otter visits and seasonal variation in the intensity of scent marking, we suggest spring and fall as the most efficient seasons during which river otters could be detected using their scent marks.
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