Sex differences in home range size, scent mark rates and hormones in the Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus)

Abstract

In this study I looked at the differences between male and female Aardwolves (Proteles cristatus) in home range size, scent marking rate and how these behaviours correlated with faecal androgen and glucocorticoid metabolite levels. This study was conducted at Benfontein game farm, near Kimberley, Northern Cape. I observed 7 aardwolves (4 male, 3 female) with VHF radio collars. I followed an aardwolf when it left the den with a 4x4 car for periods of two hours. To determine home range sizes I tracked the aardwolf with a handheld GPS and counted the amount of scent marks to calculate the scent marks/hour. A non-invasive approach was additionally used collect faeces for endocrine monitoring. Male aardwolves tended to have bigger home ranges than females although this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.1953). Males scent marked more than females (p=0.0089).