Territories
Territory: An area which is actively defended by an organism.
Home range : the areas the organism regularly roams to get it's resources
Home range : the areas the organism regularly roams to get it's resources
Main purpose is for shelter, mates, rearing young and sometimes food storage/access.
Also a safe place to rest. Is actively defended. May be occupied by one individual, a pair/family group etc. Costs and Benefits of Territoriality
Benefits: •Food: lasts longer, lower depletion rates, less variability in supply •Mates •Offpspring rearing •Lowered predation (due to nest dispersion) Costs: •Establishing a territory •Displays and patrolling •Possibility of injury •“Single-Use” Territory Conditional Territoriality
Some animals are territorial at times and very gregarious (Social) at other times. ie they don't keep a territory at all times Eg: Bellbirds in New Zealand. Use an extra 25 kJ/day from switching to territorial behaviour when food is in short supply. |