Home Range:
* Definition: The area an animal routinely uses for its daily activities, including foraging, breeding, and resting.
* Size: Can vary greatly depending on the species, its needs, and the availability of resources.
* Defense: Generally not actively defended. Individuals may tolerate other members of their species within their home range, especially if resources are abundant.
* Overlap: Home ranges often overlap, especially for species that are not solitary.
* Purpose: Provides access to essential resources for survival and reproduction.
Territory:
* Definition: A defended area within a home range that provides exclusive access to resources.
* Size: Smaller than the home range and typically contains resources critical for survival or breeding.
* Defense: Actively defended against intrusion by conspecifics (members of the same species) through displays, vocalizations, scent-marking, and sometimes aggression.
* Overlap: Territories are exclusive and do not overlap with those of other individuals of the same species.
* Purpose: Secures access to vital resources, ensuring breeding opportunities, and reducing competition.
In Summary:
| Feature | Home Range | Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Area routinely used for daily activities | Defended area within the home range |
| Size | Can be large | Smaller than the home range |
| Defense | Not actively defended | Actively defended against conspecifics |
| Overlap | Often overlaps | Exclusive, no overlap |
| Purpose | Access to resources | Exclusive access to vital resources |
Examples:
* Home Range: A deer's home range may encompass a few square kilometers, providing access to food, water, and cover.
* Territory: A male bird may defend a small territory around his nest, ensuring exclusive access to the resources needed to raise chicks.
Note: Some mammals may have both a home range and a territory, especially during the breeding season when resources are more scarce and competition is higher.