Scent-marking with the subcaudal gland by the European badger, Meles meles L.

European badgers, Meles meles, possess a large subcaudal gland which is used for scent-marking the territory and other members of the clan. It was shown experimentally that a badger can distinguish secretions from different individuals. Dominant males scent-mark most, and lactating females more than other females. Scent-marks are distributed along the border of the territory, on bedding materials and around the sett, and on all members of the clan, especially females and cubs. The data support, in many details, the hypothesis that scent-making in badgers serves to establish an asymmetry of contest during encounters with intruders.