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Updated: May 5, 2026

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
Published on: August 8, 2017
Alert odor from skin gland in deer
D Müller-Schwarze1, R Altieri, N Porter
1SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 13210, Syracuse, New York.
Abstract:
Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) discharge an odor from the metatarsal (MT) gland, located on the hindleg, when disturbed or alarmed. Freely moving, captive deer were exposed to the MT odor by means of a remote-release apparatus. Responses by males and females to MT odor from both sexes were recorded with a coding system and a video camera. When the odor was present, females became more alert and left the site more often than in the presence of control odors, odorless air, or deer urine. It is concluded that the MT secretion provides an alert signal, placing the odor into the class of alarm pheromones. There is no evidence that the closely related white-tailed deer,O. virginianus, possesses this alert (or alarm) odor system to the same degree.
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