Scent-marking behavior by female sloth bears during estrus

• Published in: Ursus (International Association for Bear Research and Management) Vol. 2021; no. 32e2; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Khadpekar, Yaduraj, Whiteman, John P., Durrant, Barbara S., Owen, Megan A., Prakash, Sant
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Association for Bear Research and Management 02.03.2021
• Subjects: chemical communication; estrus; genital rubbing; keeper check sheets; Melursus ursinus; reproductive behavior; sloth bear; vulva scores; zoo research

The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is one of the least studied bears. Important aspects of sloth bear biology and ecology, such as reproductive physiology and behavior, are largely unknown. Increased scent-marking by anogenital rubbing during breeding season has been recorded in other bear species. W...