I thought I’d give it a go around dawn considering that triple-digit heat hasn’t brought out many animals in the afternoon or evenings. Saw this tender looking cottontail through the window about 20 yards out, grabbed my Prod, loaded some Polymags, affixed an LDC, came outside just before it hit the brush line.
When I picked it up by its hind legs to skin it I noticed a brown bulge on its neck. At first I thought the pellet was lodged in its neck and because I was holding it upside down that blood was collecting beneath the skin. After a closer look, I noticed it elongating before my eyes. So I took my phone out of my pocket and as I was unlocking it a fat warble dropped to the ground. I examined it then burned it. Next I looked closely at the breathing and exit holes and noticed more movement beneath the skin. I noticed another warble attempting to exit. At this point I figured I did this little one a favor by taking her out. Unfortunately I didn’t skin or keep this one. No telling what other health issues she had as a result of hosting these larvae. Within the circle are two holes with a thin strip of skin and fur in between.
In this photo you can see a warble working its way out of the host rabbit’s neck. I don’t know how many were in there. I only waited around to see two before disposing of the carcass.
Below is a closeup of warble outside of the rabbit’s body.
I’m not trying to gross anyone out. Just something to be mindful of this time of year when dressing or skinning animals that you intend to eat. The crows waited for me to leave before dining. To be clear, a warble is the larva of the botfly. In other words - a type of maggot.
When I picked it up by its hind legs to skin it I noticed a brown bulge on its neck. At first I thought the pellet was lodged in its neck and because I was holding it upside down that blood was collecting beneath the skin. After a closer look, I noticed it elongating before my eyes. So I took my phone out of my pocket and as I was unlocking it a fat warble dropped to the ground. I examined it then burned it. Next I looked closely at the breathing and exit holes and noticed more movement beneath the skin. I noticed another warble attempting to exit. At this point I figured I did this little one a favor by taking her out. Unfortunately I didn’t skin or keep this one. No telling what other health issues she had as a result of hosting these larvae. Within the circle are two holes with a thin strip of skin and fur in between.
In this photo you can see a warble working its way out of the host rabbit’s neck. I don’t know how many were in there. I only waited around to see two before disposing of the carcass.
Below is a closeup of warble outside of the rabbit’s body.
I’m not trying to gross anyone out. Just something to be mindful of this time of year when dressing or skinning animals that you intend to eat. The crows waited for me to leave before dining. To be clear, a warble is the larva of the botfly. In other words - a type of maggot.
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at the “Alien” reference. Seeing them does have that sort of feel. That had to be awkward to see in a squirrel. I haven’t seen them in smaller animals. Although they’re just larvae from a different type of fly, maggots in general are a pain this time of year. The only other things like that that kinda give me weird goosebumps on occasion are carrion beetles and or decomposition in relatively high heat and humidity.
