Territorial marking is one of the main ways of communication between individuals of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx L.). It encompasses marking of objects with the urine and body scrubbing. Understanding this behavior is important when studying these elusive cats and understanding of their social system. The Diploma thesis deals with the role of territory marking of the Eurasian lynx in the area of Slovenian Dinarides and the characteristics of this behavior. The study consisted of tracking lynx in the snow, analysing characteristics of marking objects and survey of availability of potential objects on its path. There was also a video monitoring of one of the marking objects. The aim of the thesis was to explore territorial behavior of Eurasian lynx associated with marking of objects, selection of these objects, as well as spatial and temporal frequency of territorial marking by lynx. The purpose of video monitoring of tree stump was also to analyze behavior and monitor the presence of other forest animals at the marking object. We tracked lynx in snow in total of 17,98 km. We assume that we have always followed the same individual. Lynx often used young conifers for marking (37%), and had preferably marked the objects that were in the height range from 0,5 % 1 m. Frequency of marking was highest on forest roads with 9,7 markings per kilometer and the lowest in forest tracks with 3,5 markings per kilometer. Coverage with moss and inclination did not affect lynx selection of marking on the rocks. Lynx also do not select objects for marking based on the shape of forest roads (inner side of the bend, outside bend, straight road). With video monitoring that was based on 8 shots, we observed that the adult male lynx had an average of 14,1 days of returning time to the marked tree stump, and always visited it at night or dawn. In the nearby of this marking object, we also noticed presence of European badger (Meles meles), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos).
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