When you harvest a deer this season, look for the hidden gland between the hooves on all four feet. It's located between and just above the hooves and underneath the fur. This small opening is the “interdigital” gland, one of seven different external whitetail glands.
The interdigital glands produce a secretion that some people describe as smelling like rancid butter. Biologists don't fully understand the function of the interdigital glands, but it's likely that they enable deer to deposit a unique scent in each track as they walk. This could help them retrace their own paths and remain within a familiar home range. Or, they could be sharing information about their location and how recently they passed with other deer.
When deer detect danger and stomp their front hooves, they might deposit extra scent from the gland, which could warn other deer about this location. All these are theories, and you can add your own when you show your friends the interdigital glands on their deer and share this cool deer science
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