Felidae Many carnivorous felids scent rub. Felids are able to discriminate between similar smelling odors using the
vomeronasal organ, which is important for eliciting scent rubbing. , used by felids and other species to discriminate between different odours during scent rubbing. Cats scent rub against objects as a means of marking by releasing pheromones with glandular secretions, and information about the animal's age, sex, and identity can be obtained from these secretions. When a cat is presented with an object treated with
scent gland secretions from both a rat and snake, the cat will forcefully
scent rub its head against it. Mutual face rubbing behavior between cats in groups and cats rubbing against their owners may be a form of social bonding. During rubbing against humans, cats tend to use the temporal gland area which consists of the cheek, between the eye and the ear.
Bears Bears rub against the ground, trees and rocks in order to scent mark. This is the most frequent way that bears mark their surroundings. Black bears rub their cheeks, back, neck and head against trees in a bipedal stance. This act is noted most often during the breeding season for
grizzly and
black bears as a form of communication. The behavioral aspect of scent rubbing is shown during interspecific interactions between these bears, as black bears are found to decrease their tree rubbing once a grizzly has already done so.
New World monkeys The rubbing behaviors of the Southern brown
howler monkeys are linked to scent marking. Throat (facial and neck), anal, dorsal, chest and chin rubbing has been observed in
Alouatta and is mostly performed while sitting. Like felids, howler monkeys use their vomeronasal sensory organs to distinguish pheromones. Dominant howlers of both male and female genders scent rub and mark more than subordinate conspecifics. Anogenital rubbing in monkeys is associated with cleaning after defecation and urination and also deposits the animals scent for other species to notice.
Gray wolf Gray wolves scent rub to a large variety of odors including urine, perfumes, repellant, ashes, human handled objects, food, and resting sites. They scent rub intensively to manufactured smells such as motor oil and carnivore scents such as feces of other animals including black bear and cougars. The reason behind scent rubbing in wolves is unknown, but it is suggested that they use it to remember odors experienced in their environment, whether new or familiar.
Marmot Marmots slowly rub their faces from mouth to ears on objects repeatedly as a form of scent rubbing called cheek rubbing. This behavior is common, and the objects are typically stones, rocks and the ground around burrows. They conduct this behavior to scent mark, and when interrupted fights can occur. Marmots scent rub on new objects within their home environment. == Communication ==