F:\ALCES\Supp2\PAGEMA~1\Rus 12s ALCES SUPPL. 2, 2002 FILUS - MOOSE BEHAVIOR AT SALT LICKS 49 MOOSE BEHAVIOR AT SALT LICKS Irene A. Filus Altai State Reserve, 659564, Yaylu, Russia ABSTRACT: At a natural salt lick, moose were dominant in relation to marals; they occupied the best sites near the sources. Moose spent from 8 to 48 minutes at the salt lick; certain animals visited the salt lick up to 4 times a day and several times for a number of days. In spring and autumn, moose aggregated at the salt lick in large groups (up to 6 moose and 20 marals). They dispersed among 4 sources. ALCES SUPPLEMENT 2: 49-51 (2002) Key words: Alces alces, Kamga River, marals, minerals, salts, Teletskoye Lake basin, threat displays The behavior of moose (Alces alces) at a natural salt lick was studied in 1978–1990. A mineral source is used by moose and marals (Cervus elaphus) throughout the year, particularly in April, June, and Octo- ber. STUDY AREA The salt lick observed is situated at the left bank of the Kamga River (the Teletskoye Lake basin). The water of the springs has a high content of carbon dioxide (25.7 mg/ l), which accumulates from deep under- ground sources. The water is fresh, hydrocarbonic chloride of the magnium group, and, strictly speaking, is not salt lick water. The water attracts the attention of the animals by an increased content of dissolved salts. METHODS The animals visiting the salt licks were counted every 15 minutes in daytime, mainly in spring and summer. We recorded the number of adults, males, females, yearlings, and calves. Moose were individually recog- nized by coloration, molt stage, shape of antlers, and other characteristics. This method has an advantage over marking, which causes trauma and changes in behavior. During intervals between cen- suses, behaviors were described. A 15- minute interval was assumed to be a single observation; we made 983 observations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Moose and marals visited the salt lick; the ratio of these species in the regions adjacent to the salt lick was 1:3, respec- tively. Paths cross the salt licks in various directions and are used by other animals. Ungulates use the salt lick throughout the year. The peak of moose activity occurs during spring through early summer in the transition to feeding on green plants and in summer during the rut. In late June, the number of visits by moose sharply decreased and remained low until the beginning of September (Fig. 1). During the daytime April–June, moose visitations to the salt lick increased from 1000 to 1100 hours (Fig. 2). Moose approached the salt lick fairly quickly and pricked up their ears for a short time, unlike the marals. The latter would wait for a long time, making sure there was no danger. Conflicts occurred only rarely when the animals approached each other at a distance of 0.5 meters, and they were re- solved by threat displays (lowering of ears, approach, a sharp advance, and very rarely by flights). An episode was described when ALCES SUPPL. 2, 2002 FILUS - MOOSE BEHAVIOR AT SALT LICKS 51 bear. In 33 observations, moose and marals were concurrently present at the salt lick, the greatest numbers being 11 marals, 6 moose and 20 marals, and 4 moose. Despite such aggregations, there were few conflicts between the animals (6 cases). To maintain an individual distance between moose and marals, a threat display on the part of a male was normally enough. A kick by the front leg normally followed if the deer approached the moose at a close distance. There were no cases of marals leaving the source when moose appeared or of waiting until moose left the salt lick. However, moose domi- nated at the salt lick; in fact, in the presence of moose, marals retreated to the least convenient plots of the salt lick. Only in 1 case did a 1-year-old adult male moose retreat from the source at the appearance of an adult maral male. Moose, dominant in relation to marals, occupied the best sites near the sources.