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Mate guarding and gallivanting by male hoary marmots (Marmota caligata)

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Summary

Seven years data on the vernal behavior of hoarty marmots, Marmota caligata, suggest that males engage in a two-part reproductive strategy, which consists of guarding their mates against possible copulation with additional males, and also gallivanting — wandering about in search of additional reproductive opportunities for themselves. Data are presented which support seven predictions derived from the assumption that mate guarding and gallivanting are parts of a reproductive strategy by male marmots.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Animal Behavior Program, Departments of Psychology and Zoology, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, Washington, USA

    David P. Barash

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  1. David P. Barash
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Barash, D.P. Mate guarding and gallivanting by male hoary marmots (Marmota caligata). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 9, 187–193 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302936

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302936

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