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<p>In some mammal species, latrines serve as important sites of chemical communication. The Japanese badger (<i>Meles anakuma</i>), a solitary mustelid endemic to Japan, employs subcaudal gland secretions (SGS) through squat marking and anal gland secretions (AGS) through defecation at latrines. This study examined sex- and season-related differences in latrine use by Japanese badgers. We conducted camera-trap observations in Western Japan for two years and recorded latrine visits and associated behaviors (defecation, squat marking, and sniffing) by 5 females, 18 non-dispersed (young) males, and 7 dispersed (adult) males. We found that latrine visit frequency was higher during the mating season than the non-mating season across all three social statuses. Both squat marking and sniffing lasted longer during the mating season, with dispersed males exhibiting significantly longer durations of these behaviors than females or non-dispersed males. In contrast, defecation rates were significantly higher during the non-mating season, with females and non-dispersed males defecating much more frequently than dispersed males. These results suggest that the relative importance of chemical information from SGS and AGS differs according to social status and season.</p>

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Sex and seasonal differences in latrine use by the Japanese badger Meles anakuma

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月8日

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  • Hiroshi Tanaka,
  • Wataru Kojima

摘要

In some mammal species, latrines serve as important sites of chemical communication. The Japanese badger (Meles anakuma), a solitary mustelid endemic to Japan, employs subcaudal gland secretions (SGS) through squat marking and anal gland secretions (AGS) through defecation at latrines. This study examined sex- and season-related differences in latrine use by Japanese badgers. We conducted camera-trap observations in Western Japan for two years and recorded latrine visits and associated behaviors (defecation, squat marking, and sniffing) by 5 females, 18 non-dispersed (young) males, and 7 dispersed (adult) males. We found that latrine visit frequency was higher during the mating season than the non-mating season across all three social statuses. Both squat marking and sniffing lasted longer during the mating season, with dispersed males exhibiting significantly longer durations of these behaviors than females or non-dispersed males. In contrast, defecation rates were significantly higher during the non-mating season, with females and non-dispersed males defecating much more frequently than dispersed males. These results suggest that the relative importance of chemical information from SGS and AGS differs according to social status and season.