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Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

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<strong>Deer</strong> have many glands that are used for scent communication with other<br />

deer. Drawing by Bruce Cook.<br />

strong, musky odor. This odor is the result of urine being deposited on<br />

these glands and mixed with lipids during a behavior known as ruburination<br />

in which a deer rubs the two tarsal glands together while<br />

urinating over them. All deer engage in this rub-urination behavior<br />

throughout the year; however, this process is much more frequent during<br />

the breeding season—particularly among males. <strong>Deer</strong> use this gland<br />

to recognize other individuals in the herd and to give information relative<br />

to their sex, social status and reproductive condition.<br />

Other glands include the preorbital glands located in small pockets<br />

in the corners of the eyes; the forehead gland located on the entire<br />

area between the antlers and eyes; the nasal gland located inside the<br />

nose; and the preputial gland located in the penile sheath. The function<br />

and importance of several of these glands are unknown at this<br />

time.<br />

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