The Territorial Imperative

We humans have a lot in common with the rest of the mammals. 

Some species are territorial, with individuals or groups defending a patch of ground for their own exclusive use. Many mark their territory in some way, to warn off intruders. Some use visual marks, for example bears scratch trees with their claws. Others, including our domestic cats and dogs, use scent marks based on urine, faeces and/or secretions  from specialised skin glands.

A common feature is that territorial owners will, on encountering  a stranger's mark, over-mark it with their own mark.

Teenage humans behave in just the same way. Last week the WW2 tank trap to the left was boldly emblazoned with the bright green tag belonging to one group of youths. Over the weekend another group discovered the outrage and over-marked it with their own symbol of possession, and then marked a further two concrete blocks so as to to reinforce the point.

There is never a dull moment in Newburgh-on-Ythan!