What is the name of the gland that secretes a fluid during musth in male elephants?

The gland that secretes fluid during musth in male elephants is the temporal gland. It lies on each side of the head, between the eye and ear, and its secretion can run down the elephant’s cheek.

Musth is a recurring physiological and behavioural state in adult male elephants. It is associated with sharply elevated testosterone, increased aggression, urine dribbling and heightened sexual activity. During musth, the temporal glands swell and release a strong-smelling fluid often called temporin. The fluid can carry chemical information to other elephants.

The gland is not the same as a sweat gland or lacrimal gland. Sweat glands regulate skin moisture and temperature, while lacrimal glands produce tears. The temporal gland is a specialised elephant structure involved in signalling and social communication. Temporal-gland secretions contain proteins, lipids, phenols, cresols and aromatic compounds.

Musth is especially pronounced in mature bulls, and older males may remain in it for months each year. However, temporal-gland discharge is not an infallible sign that an African bull is in musth: secretion can occur in other contexts, and females may also produce temporin. The gland’s name refers to its position at the temple of the head.