gray squirrel anatomy

flintlock.50 · December 31, 2011, 09:43 PM

I'm a little new to squirrel hunting. I shot 4 grays this morning, all males. They have the expected male anatomy, though the fur on the scrotum is very dark, almost black. When I skinned them, I was surprised to find two almost white jelly bean sized lumps on either side of the anus. All four had them. It's definitely a different color from the meat, very light colored. What are these bulbous "things"? I don't believe these are testicles. I could feel those in the scrotum. Anyone know what these are?

Thanks

Pahoo · December 31, 2011, 09:50 PM

I have seen these before and call them wax pockets. Been told that they use them to mark there scent. The ones I've seen, were almost white and pea size. ...

This will be my first and last reply on this question .....

Be Safe !!!

**hogdogs** · December 31, 2011, 10:18 PM

We always called them scent glands but we could have always been wrong about that though.

Brent

Pahoo · January 1, 2012, 12:52 PM

I forgot to mention that I have only seen these present in males and not females. By my measure, the grays are better eating than the others but have never eaten a Red squirrel. .....

Be Safe !!!

shortwave · January 1, 2012, 01:53 PM

+ 1 on the 'scent glands'

That's what we've always called them also.

Pahoo · January 1, 2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

When I skinned them, I was surprised to find two almost white jelly bean sized lumps on either side of the anus.

While you're in there routin around, look deep into the armpits and you will find another set of glands. These look like a patch of fat and should be removed at cleaning. These are often overlooked and don't tast the best. ...

Be Safe !!!

twobit · January 1, 2012, 06:15 PM

were they on this species of squirrel?

flintlock.50 · January 1, 2012, 08:24 PM

and I try to remove those, though they are slippery and a challenge to remove. I've found that on some squirrels, these glands include a small bean-shaped gland. On others, there is mostly just the patch of fatty tissue that you mention. Armpit glands, yes. But I definitely wasn't expecting the waxy white bean-like "lumps" at the tail. I've done some looking on the internet, but haven't come up with a definitive answer.

One site said squirrel testes descend into a "temporary scrotum" that is present only during the breeding season. One video said that very dark hair on the scrotum indicates a young squirrel. I haven't found anything about the white lumps under the tail.

flintlock.50 · January 1, 2012, 08:30 PM

which I caught in the act of burglarizing my bird feeder. This wasn't always during the breeding season. Mostly they've been females, but on occasion the culprit was a male. I've never seen these white lumps before.

It also seems unusual that all six of the squirrels I've shot in the last two weeks have been males.

langenc · January 2, 2012, 07:25 PM

Squirrels will be rutting here about the end of this month.

Could those glands be for wax to seal the female after fertilization? It seems I have read about a 'wax plug' being involved in that process..

bird_dog · January 3, 2012, 12:07 PM

The glands are bigger in larger squirrels:

pbrktrt · January 3, 2012, 09:26 PM

Probably anal glands, just like dogs have.

December 31, 2011, 09:43 PM	#1
flintlock.50 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 151	gray squirrel anatomy I'm a little new to squirrel hunting. I shot 4 grays this morning, all males. They have the expected male anatomy, though the fur on the scrotum is very dark, almost black. When I skinned them, I was surprised to find two almost white jelly bean sized lumps on either side of the anus. All four had them. It's definitely a different color from the meat, very light colored. What are these bulbous "things"? I don't believe these are testicles. I could feel those in the scrotum. Anyone know what these are? Thanks __________________ NRA Benefactor member; NRA rifle and home firearm safety instructor; NMLRA member; NMLRA instructor for rifle, pistol and shotgun A government that takes from Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul's vote!

December 31, 2011, 09:50 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 4,387	You shouldn't play with your food. I have seen these before and call them wax pockets. Been told that they use them to mark there scent. The ones I've seen, were almost white and pea size. ... This will be my first and last reply on this question ..... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

December 31, 2011, 10:18 PM	#3
hogdogs Staff Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 10,687	We always called them scent glands but we could have always been wrong about that though. Brent __________________ Finally have designs going up in the Hogdogs Outdoor Apparel online store. http://www.cafepress.com/hogdogsoutdoorapparel Thanks for lookin'...

January 1, 2012, 12:52 PM	#4
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 4,387	Only males I forgot to mention that I have only seen these present in males and not females. By my measure, the grays are better eating than the others but have never eaten a Red squirrel. ..... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 1, 2012, 08:24 PM	#8
flintlock.50 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 151	I'm familiar with the scent glands under the armpits, and I try to remove those, though they are slippery and a challenge to remove. I've found that on some squirrels, these glands include a small bean-shaped gland. On others, there is mostly just the patch of fatty tissue that you mention. Armpit glands, yes. But I definitely wasn't expecting the waxy white bean-like "lumps" at the tail. I've done some looking on the internet, but haven't come up with a definitive answer. One site said squirrel testes descend into a "temporary scrotum" that is present only during the breeding season. One video said that very dark hair on the scrotum indicates a young squirrel. I haven't found anything about the white lumps under the tail. __________________ NRA Benefactor member; NRA rifle and home firearm safety instructor; NMLRA member; NMLRA instructor for rifle, pistol and shotgun A government that takes from Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul's vote!

January 1, 2012, 01:53 PM	#5
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,005	+ 1 on the 'scent glands' That's what we've always called them also.

January 1, 2012, 08:30 PM	#9
flintlock.50 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 151	I should add that I've had to execute a delinquent squirrel or two which I caught in the act of burglarizing my bird feeder. This wasn't always during the breeding season. Mostly they've been females, but on occasion the culprit was a male. I've never seen these white lumps before. It also seems unusual that all six of the squirrels I've shot in the last two weeks have been males. __________________ NRA Benefactor member; NRA rifle and home firearm safety instructor; NMLRA member; NMLRA instructor for rifle, pistol and shotgun A government that takes from Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul's vote!

January 2, 2012, 07:25 PM	#10
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,187	Squirrels will be rutting here about the end of this month. Could those glands be for wax to seal the female after fertilization? It seems I have read about a 'wax plug' being involved in that process..

January 3, 2012, 12:07 PM	#11
bird_dog Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Posts: 173	The glands are bigger in larger squirrels:

January 3, 2012, 09:26 PM	#12
pbrktrt Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 303	Probably anal glands, just like dogs have.