Over the past few years of skinning deer, I have noticed transparent skinny long worms in the tarsal gland leg area of both male and female deer and both mule deer and whitetail as well..just curious what they are? And the area is 10a where I harvested the deer
Answer:
The parasites are fairly common, and they are a particular species of nematode that lives in joint areas of deer. The parasite is likely either in the genus Onchocerca (several species) or the genus Wehrdikmansia (species cervipedis). These parasite are transmitted by various biting insects inlcuding horse flies and gnats.
The presence of the parasites pose no health issues for humans.
Answered on:
Monday, December 1, 2014 - 10:00 AM MST