Male/Male Relationships

Males are organized in stable, linear hierarchies (Herrera, et al., 1993). The dominant male is generally heavier than the subordinate males (Herrera, et al., 1993). [However, there is no correlation between weight and status (Herrera, et al., 1993)] Dominant males occupy a position at the center of the group while subordinate males occupy spots to the periphery of the social group (Lord, 1994). The dominant male will sometimes ch ase the subordinate males, if they are "resting more close than usual," and end the pursuit with bite on the rump (Lord, 1994). Dominant males tend to avoid conflicts or pursuits if resting (Lord, 1994). Adult males tolerate the subordinate males because t hey assist in territorial defense and, as a group, subordinate males give off more warning calls than the collective group of females and the dominante male (Herrera, et al., 1993).

Among the subordinate males, no hierarchy was ever observed and the behavior among the group of males (2-4) is one of mutual tolerance (Lord, 1994).

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