Scent Marking Behavior of the Male Koalas

In male Koalas, scent marking is usually done to attract the female Koalas. For other animal it is a combination of attracting female, territorial identification and communication, while for male Koalas it is only part of an attempt to mate with any female koala. Remember, Koalas have very strong sense of smell, therefore, scent marking can prove out to be highly effective in such a scenario. As a result of that, male koalas go for scent marking to have a possible mating with other female, who also pick up their scent as well as their sense of smell is equally strong as well.

Scent marking behavior within male koalas is relatively different as compared to many other animals. A male Koala marks its scent against different kinds of tree branches or usually at the bottom of the tree. However, scent marking of the male koalas is very unique. They rub their chest against the tree. This rubbing process triggers a particular sensation within the bodies of the male koalas. Such a sensation allows the koalas to secrete a fluid. It is this particular fluid, which the male koalas specifically use for the scent marking.

This fluid is very smelly and has a unique kind of smell. This smell is always attracted towards the females as well, and the female Koalas also move around the scented area for the mating purpose as well. However, usually male koalas themselves tend to find female koalas for mating by their own; it is very rare that a female Koala approaches a male Koala for the purpose of mating.