page_title: Dewlap
section_title: Mammals
hierarchical_section_title: Dewlap / Mammals
caption_attribution_description: Original caption: “Cattle in Brazil, like this Zebu bull, represent a different gene pool from U.S. cattle and could help scientists locate genes for desirable traits like tick resistance and heat tolerance.”
context_page_description: A dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. While the term is usually used in this specific context, it can also be used to include other structures occurring in the same body area with a similar aspect, such as those caused by a double chin or the submandibular vocal sac of a frog. In a more general manner, the term refers to any pendulous mass of skin, such as a fold of loose skin on an elderly person's neck, or the wattle of a bird. Dewlaps can be considered as a caruncle, defined as 'a small, fleshy excrescence that is a normal part of an animal's anatomy'.
context_section_description: Many mammals such as dogs, rabbits and moose possess dewlaps. In zebu cattle, the dewlap is colloquially known as the "briefcase folds". The dewlap is also found on female rabbits, such as the New Zealand white rabbit. While pregnant, the female rabbit will pluck fur from the dewlap to line a nest for her babies. Although these masses can be referred to as dewlaps, they are formed by stored fat. The dewlap is also seen in both sexes of moose.
caption: A zebu with a large dewlap.
exif: {}