How do water voles mark territory using specialized flank glands?
Answer
Rubbing glands with hind feet and stamping the ground
Water voles utilize scent marking for communication, but they specifically rely on specialized scent markers produced by glands located on the sides of their bodies, known as flank glands, rather than using scent contained within their droppings. The process involves the vole actively rubbing these flank glands using its hind feet. Following this action, the vole stamps the ground, depositing the scent onto the substrate. This action results in the creation of latrines—discrete, flattened piles of droppings often topped with fresh scent markers—which serve to advertise territory ownership to rivals.
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