Think about the article. Why are many middens located at the edge of a group's territory? They send a message that predators in other large social groups cannot detect. They send a friendly invitation to potential mates that live in the territory. They send a message to other large social groups that food can be found nearby. They send a stern warning to other animals to stay away from the territory.
Many middens are located at the edge of a group's territory for several reasons. First and foremost, they send a message that predators in other large social groups cannot detect. By placing the middens at the edge of the territory, they act as a boundary marker, signaling to potential predators that they have entered the group's domain. This serves as a deterrent and helps protect the group from potential threats.
Additionally, middens at the edge of a group's territory send a friendly invitation to potential mates that live within the territory. These middens act as a way for individuals within the group to communicate their presence and availability to potential mates from neighboring groups. By placing the middens at the territory's edge, they are more likely to be noticed by individuals from other groups, increasing the chances of attracting potential mates.
Moreover, the presence of middens at the edge of a group's territory also sends a message to other large social groups that food can be found nearby. Middens often contain food remnants, such as bones and other leftovers, which can attract scavengers and opportunistic feeders. By strategically placing middens at the territory's edge, it signals to other groups that there is a food source nearby, potentially reducing territorial conflicts while allowing different groups to coexist peacefully.
Lastly, the middens positioned at the edge of a group's territory also serve as a stern warning to other animals to stay away from the territory. The presence of these markers indicates that the area is already claimed and defended by a particular group. This territorial display helps minimize conflicts and competition between different groups by clearly demarcating boundaries and discouraging intrusions from outsiders.
In summary, many middens are located at the edge of a group's territory to fulfill various purposes. They communicate a message to predators, attract potential mates, inform other groups about available food sources, and deter trespassers. The placement of middens at the territory's edge plays a crucial role in maintaining social dynamics and ensuring the group's survival and reproductive success.