Doftmarkering

Doftmarkering is a form of chemical communication in which an animal deposits scented substances to mark territory, signal social status, or convey information about individuals. Marks are typically deposited on substrates such as soil, leaves, bark, or objects and are intended to be detected by other members of the same species.

Substances involved include pheromones and other semiochemicals produced by scent glands, as well as urine and, in some species, secretions from anal glands. The deposited chemicals are detected through the animal’s sense of smell, often involving the main olfactory system and, in many mammals, the vomeronasal organ. The chemical cues can reveal species, sex, reproductive condition, age, and individual identity.

Functions of doftmarkering include territory defense, mate attraction and avoidance of hybridization, social organization, and kin recognition. Marking can establish or reinforce boundaries, advertise reproductive availability, or indicate recent presence to rivals. In many species, both adults and juveniles contribute to a shared scent landscape within a territory.

Species vary in marking methods. Cats commonly spray urine and use facial or body gland secretions; dogs and many other mammals use urine marking to delineate space. Rodents frequently leave urine and glandular secretions along runways. Some ungulates and carnivores also employ fecal or specialized glandular marks as part of their marking repertoire.

Factors influencing doftmarkering include sex, reproductive status, social hierarchy, population density, season, weather, and substrate characteristics. Mark persistence depends on evaporation, microbial activity, and environmental conditions, with marks lasting longer on dry, sheltered surfaces. In research and wildlife management, scent cues are used to study behavior, territory, and population structure.