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Two male gemsbok antelopes clash head on

Territorial

Territorial animals actively defend the area in which they live and more importantly on which they depend for resources. If the animal doesn't advertise its ownership and defend it from members of its own species, it isn't territorial. Often, advertising takes the form of scent marking the territory boundaries as a clear marker for others to stay away. Challenges and disputes can be resolved in a number of ways, not always violently. In addition to these 'traditional' territories, the males of some non-territorial species - such as wildebeest - establish temporary mini-territories in the mating season to impress the females.

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Animals with this behaviour

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Insects

Crabs, shrimp and krill

About

In ethology the term territory refers to any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics (and, occasionally, animals of other species). Animals that defend territories in this way are referred to as territorial.

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Behaviours

Other Social behaviour behaviours

BBC News about Territorial

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