the area in which an animal (or a mated pair) lives, hunts, and mates throughout its life. Generally, this area is not defended. The animal doesn't necessarily use its whole home range every day. The home ranges of males and females of the same species may overlap, and a male's home range may include that of several females. Many factors influence the size, shape, and use of a home range, such as the gender and age of the animal, the season, the amount of food available, the nearness of mates, and the degree of fighting among its kind. The boundaries of a home range are often marked by scats, urine, or other signs.