Correlates of male mating strategies in white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum)

Abstract

Territoriality is a common male reproductive strategy exhibited by polygynous ungulates, and mature male white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) establish and defend year-round territories. One-third of adult males in the study population in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe, delimited territories that occupied most available space; other adult males were relegated to following a nonterritorial strategy. Correlates of male territoriality included age and body size. Testosterone levels also differed significantly between territorial and nonterritorial males but were not related to age. Overall patterns of association with adult females did not differ with male status. However, territorial males spent significantly more time with females of higher reproductive value. These results suggest that reproductive consequences of the two male strategies may not be equal.