Rubbing behavior of European brown bears: factors affecting rub tree selectivity and density.

Scent-mediated communication is considered the principal communication channel in many mammal species. Compared with visual and vocal communication, odors persist for a longer time, enabling individuals to interact without being in the same place at the same time. The brown bear (), like other mammals, carries out chemical communication, for example, by means of scents deposited on marking (or rub) trees.