This dataset supports a study testing the Resource Dispersion Hypothesis (RDH) in free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) across urban and rural habitats in India. It includes spatial and social data collected through two complementary approaches: a census-based study and a territory-based tracking study, conducted over three reproductive seasons—pre-mating, mating, and post-mating (pup emergence).The census-based dataset comprises observations from 52 rural and 41 urban sites, where surveys documented dog presence, group structure, age-sex classification, and affiliative interactions. Each survey area was defined as a polygon (1.29 to 161 hectares) encompassing human settlements and nearby accessible areas. Observers also geolocated and categorized food-related resources (e.g., waste bins, food stalls, shops, markets), recorded anthropogenic food subsidies through household surveys, and scored resource points following published protocols.The territory-based dataset includes high-resolution spatio-temporal tracking of free-ranging dog groups across multiple seasons. Territories were defined using behavioural observations (≥30 hours per group/season), focusing on aggression, scent-marking, and territorial defense. Each territory polygon includes GPS-marked boundaries and mapped food resources.Resource distribution within each territory is quantified using:Patch Richness (total food resource points),Resource Heterogeneity (types of food sources), andResource Dispersion (mean inter-resource distances, calculated using R spatial packages).The dataset also includes metadata on dog group composition, male:female ratios, and seasonal changes in territory size.Statistical analysis scripts (GLMs and GLMMs using lme4 and glmmTMB in R) are available to reproduce the findings. The data can be used to study spatial ecology, urban animal behaviour, and effects of human-driven resource variation on free-ranging species.

This dataset supports a study testing the Resource Dispersion Hypothesis (RDH) in free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) across urban and rural habitats in India. It includes spatial and social data collected through two complementary approaches: a census-based study and a territory-based tracking study, conducted over three reproductive seasons—pre-mating, mating, and post-mating (pup emergence).The census-based dataset comprises observations from 52 rural and 41 urban sites, where surveys documented dog presence, group structure, age-sex classification, and affiliative interactions. Each survey area was defined as a polygon (1.29 to 161 hectares) encompassing human settlements and nearby accessible areas. Observers also geolocated and categorized food-related resources (e.g., waste bins, food stalls, shops, markets), recorded anthropogenic food subsidies through household surveys, and scored resource points following published protocols.The territory-based dataset includes high-resolution spatio-temporal tracking of free-ranging dog groups across multiple seasons. Territories were defined using behavioural observations (≥30 hours per group/season), focusing on aggression, scent-marking, and territorial defense. Each territory polygon includes GPS-marked boundaries and mapped food resources.Resource distribution within each territory is quantified using:Patch Richness (total food resource points),Resource Heterogeneity (types of food sources), andResource Dispersion (mean inter-resource distances, calculated using R spatial packages).The dataset also includes metadata on dog group composition, male:female ratios, and seasonal changes in territory size.Statistical analysis scripts (GLMs and GLMMs using lme4 and glmmTMB in R) are available to reproduce the findings. The data can be used to study spatial ecology, urban animal behaviour, and effects of human-driven resource variation on free-ranging species.

This dataset systematically documents the behavioural dynamics of free-ranging dogs (FRDs) within bustling seasonal fairs. Collected across 14 fair sites in the Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Bardhaman districts of West Bengal, India, during the winter and spring seasons (December to March) of 2021-22 and 2022-23. Data was gathered on three randomly selected days per fair, in three daily sessions (initial, middle, end). The dataset comprises precise GPS locations, sex, and life stage of sighted FRDs, alongside detailed behavioural observations (e.g., foraging, gait, affiliative, aggressive, territorial, vigilance) derived from spot censuses and video recordings. It also includes human flux counts, resource point GPS coordinates, and unique identifiers for videos, fairs, and individual dogs. Additionally, pre- and post-fair surveys provide data on dog group compositions, territorial boundaries, and the distance of dog territories from the fair periphery, categorizing dogs into distinct "fair zones." Photographic records for individual dog identification are also included. This rich dataset offers a comprehensive view of FRD ecology in dynamic, human-dominated environments.

This dataset systematically documents the behavioural dynamics of free-ranging dogs (FRDs) within bustling seasonal fairs. Collected across 14 fair sites in the Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Bardhaman districts of West Bengal, India, during the winter and spring seasons (December to March) of 2021-22 and 2022-23. Data was gathered on three randomly selected days per fair, in three daily sessions (initial, middle, end). The dataset comprises precise GPS locations, sex, and life stage of sighted FRDs, alongside detailed behavioural observations (e.g., foraging, gait, affiliative, aggressive, territorial, vigilance) derived from spot censuses and video recordings. It also includes human flux counts, resource point GPS coordinates, and unique identifiers for videos, fairs, and individual dogs. Additionally, pre- and post-fair surveys provide data on dog group compositions, territorial boundaries, and the distance of dog territories from the fair periphery, categorizing dogs into distinct "fair zones." Photographic records for individual dog identification are also included. This rich dataset offers a comprehensive view of FRD ecology in dynamic, human-dominated environments.

This dataset investigates scent-marking behavior in free-ranging dogs in West Bengal, India. The data includes video recordings and behavioral observations of dog groups responding to controlled presentations of scent marks from different individuals (male and female) and groups (intragroup and intergroup) at various locations within their territories (near resources, resting sites, and boundaries). The study examined the dogs' reactions to these scents, including sniffing, overmarking, and other behaviors categorized using an established ethogram. The findings reveal that both male and female dogs display significant interest in scent marks, with males exhibiting stronger territorial responses. Overmarking was primarily observed in males, particularly in response to scents from other males and neighboring groups. Distinct behavioral clusters were identified in response to different scent mark types, highlighting the complexity of olfactory communication in free-ranging dogs and its role in territorial defense and intrasexual competition.

This dataset investigates scent-marking behavior in free-ranging dogs in West Bengal, India. The data includes video recordings and behavioral observations of dog groups responding to controlled presentations of scent marks from different individuals (male and female) and groups (intragroup and intergroup) at various locations within their territories (near resources, resting sites, and boundaries). The study examined the dogs' reactions to these scents, including sniffing, overmarking, and other behaviors categorized using an established ethogram. The findings reveal that both male and female dogs display significant interest in scent marks, with males exhibiting stronger territorial responses. Overmarking was primarily observed in males, particularly in response to scents from other males and neighboring groups. Distinct behavioral clusters were identified in response to different scent mark types, highlighting the complexity of olfactory communication in free-ranging dogs and its role in territorial defense and intrasexual competition.

The dataset documents resting behavior and site selection of 66 free-ranging dog groups (N = 284) across India over three years (2019–2022) during different seasons. It includes 12 physical parameters of resting sites, behavioral states, and climatic conditions, recorded using a custom Android application. The data reveal that dogs prefer resting sites near resources, at the center of their territories, with maximum visibility, minimal disturbance, and low insect presence, suggesting adaptive strategies for resource defense, thermoregulation, and insect avoidance. This dataset can inform studies on urban animal behavior and aid urban planners in designing inclusive spaces for improved coexistence.

The dataset documents resting behavior and site selection of 66 free-ranging dog groups (N = 284) across India over three years (2019–2022) during different seasons. It includes 12 physical parameters of resting sites, behavioral states, and climatic conditions, recorded using a custom Android application. The data reveal that dogs prefer resting sites near resources, at the center of their territories, with maximum visibility, minimal disturbance, and low insect presence, suggesting adaptive strategies for resource defense, thermoregulation, and insect avoidance. This dataset can inform studies on urban animal behavior and aid urban planners in designing inclusive spaces for improved coexistence.

Rapid urbanization is a major cause of habitat and biodiversity loss and human-animal conflict. While urbanization is inevitable, we need to develop a good understanding of the urban ecosystem and the urban-adapted species, in order to ensure sustainable cities for our future. Scavengers play a major role in urban ecosystems, and often, urban adaptation involves a shift towards scavenging behaviour in wild animals. We carried out an experimented at different sites in the state of West Bengal, India, to identify the scavenging guild within urban habitats, in response to human-provided food. Our study found a total of 17 different vertebrate species across 15 sites, over 498 sessions of observations. We carried out network analysis to understand the dynamics of the system, and found that the free-ranging dog and common myna were key species within the scavenging networks. This study revealed the complexity of scavenging networks within human-dominated habitats.

Animals of different taxa can read and respond to various human communicative signals. Such a socio-cognitive mechanism facilitates animals to acquire information and helps them react in a context-dependent manner. Of particular interest are the socio-cognitive skills of dogs and their remarkable sensitivity to human social cues. Recent developments have highlighted human socialization as one of the critical factors enabling dogs to respond to human communicative cues. However, not all dog populations have the same degree of socialization; this raises the question of whether “less” socialized dogs can read and use information from human cues. Free-ranging dogs are arguably the least socialized dog population, found primarily in developing countries. Unlike pets, free-ranging dogs engage in complex and multidimensional relationships with humans, which directly or indirectly impact their survival. In order to avoid potential adversities, contextual recognition of human actions is of paramount importance for these dogs, especially while interacting with an unfamiliar human being. Here, we investigated adult free-ranging dogs' behaviour in the context of communication with humans, using a point-following experiment. Our findings suggest that socialization has a strong positive effect on the likelihood of free-ranging dogs’ point-following tendencies. Additionally, positively socialized dogs relied on humans ignoring deception as opposed to dogs without socialization. Finally, we emphasized the implications of such different behavioural strategies in light of their socio-ecology.