Samenvatting

Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research to study species presence, distribution, and behaviour, yet their potential influence on animal behaviour is often assumed to be negligible. Many carnivores, including canids, rely heavily on olfactory communication and frequently deposit scent marks on prominent objects in their environment. Camera trap structures may therefore function as unintended scent-marking sites, potentially influencing behavioural responses and visitation patterns.The objective of this study was to gain insight into the relationship between accumulated scent marks at camera-trap structures and predator behavioural responses. Using domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) as a model species, behavioural reactions to camera-trap mock-ups were recorded in a semi-natural environment. Mock camera traps were deployed across open and closed habitats, and behavioural responses of passing dogs were documented. Data were analysed using generalized linear models to assess the effects of cumulative urination, group size, and ambient temperature on behavioural reaction rates, while controlling for observation effort.