Territory is a selectively defended area in air water or land characteristic of many animals with presence of some sex adult conspecific or another conspecific rival. Territory enables animals to become familiar with area, food and escapes routes. Any defended area is territory. Boundaries are marked by phenomenon or recognized by edge of forest, trunk tree, hedges, and stones. They include territory as sleeping area, feeding place, bathing place wallowing place with help of urine works, fecal heap, space and hiding places. Animals divide geographical area around them into four broad regions:

1. Total range (entire area covered)
2. Home range (large area for all activities – feeding sex and roaming is done)
3. Territory (small area within home ranges, driving away intruders and visited in days.
4. Core area (within territory but much smaller)

Sizes of Territories

This varies from species to species depending on body size, group size, and habitat and food requirement. Size of territory depends on size and diet of animals.

Larger species has larger territories e.g. Wild beast, zebras. Predators have larges territories than plant eaters. Territories are smaller when food is found in abundance and distribution is not spread for. Territorial animals patrol its outer limits.

Functions of Territoriality

1. Well shaped aggregation of local population
2. Well defined area for parental care
3. Limitation of breading population and control beyond carrying capacity
4. Adequate food
5. Reserve of unmated males and females for prompt replacement
6. Reduction in rate of contracting parasites or diseases
7. Helps intending against predator & share resources
8. Collectively defense nests and young from predators
9. Porters separate after breeding for short periods

Hedgier (1960) distinguished two types of animals:

1. Contact animals which tolerate body contact e.g. Pigs Hippos Monkeys Lizards Turtles
2. Distance animals which keep away from each other with respect to spatial relationship between species members. This varies from species to species.

Scent Marking in Vertebrates

1. Use of urine & faces
2. Use of special glands
   • Anal Gland (Menotremes Marsupials)
   • Salivary Gland (All mammals, beer dogs pigs)