VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

PHEROMONES

• Pheromones are the scent materials by which the wild animals of different species in the forest communicate with each other and are often used to attract the opposite sex. Pheromones are also used to indicate the occupation of a territory to the conspecifics (animals of the same species).

Examples

• Hyaenas have scent glands in anal region
• Felids have scent glands and their markings leave a musky odor that can be perceived by human nose for almost three weeks and the marking is done mainly along with the urination.
• Wild sheep or goat species may have such type of glands in between the two main toes of the feet.
• In cervids and antelopes in general, scent glands are present below the eye.