The excretory system of a white-tailed deer consists of several organs that work together to remove waste products from the body.
1. Kidneys:
- The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for filtering waste products from the blood.
- As blood passes through the kidneys, it is filtered through tiny structures called nephrons.
- The nephrons remove waste products like urea, creatinine, and uric acid from the blood, along with excess water and electrolytes.
2. Ureters:
- The ureters are tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
3. Urinary Bladder:
- The urinary bladder is a muscular organ that stores urine until it is released through urination.
- Once the bladder is full, it sends signals to the brain indicating the need to urinate. When urination occurs, the bladder muscles contract and force the urine out through the urethra.
4. Urethra:
- The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
- In male deer, the urethra is longer and passes through the penis, whereas in female deer, it is shorter and opens directly below the urinary opening.
5. Renal System:
- The renal system, composed of the kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder, works together to maintain water and electrolyte balance in the body, regulate blood pH, and remove nitrogenous waste products from the blood through the formation of urine.
Overall, the excretory system of a white-tailed deer, like other mammals, ensures the elimination of harmful waste products while balancing the body's fluid and electrolyte composition.