A bull elk (Cervus canadensis) immediately after a mud bath exhibiting the flehmen response during rut season
A bull elk (Cervus canadensis) curls his lip in the flehmen response during rutting season. This behavior exposes the vomeronasal organ and facilitates the transfer of pheromones and other scents to it. This bull had also recently wallowed in a muddy place, saturating himself with mud and urine to release pheromones.
Size: 5200px × 3467px
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA
Photo credit: © Denise Dethlefsen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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