Images or animations depicting male characters undergoing the physical condition known as rut, not to be confused with in_heat which while similar to rut, only affects female characters.

If the male looks aroused in a more human way, you probably ought to be using aroused instead, or some other tag. There may be overlap and punning all the same, so carry on using the rut tag if you need to - but it makes sense to reserve this tag for something very specific.

Depictions of Being "In Rut"

Depicting a character in rut, regardless of being feral, anthro, or humanoid, often involves artistic license and recycles elements artists use when depicting typical arousal:

• clouds of musk or steam, emanating lines, and symbols such as hearts around the genitalia
• profuse blushing
• drooling
• panting

Taking "In Rut" Literally

Artists often interpret being "In Rut" by depicting a character showings signs of feeling literal heat or that the character themselves is overheating:

• symbols such as flames, thermometers, and temperature gauges used to represent the character being "in rut"
• excessive sweat
• steam clouds around the character
• similar clouds of steamy breath

Behaviour

• characters implied to have emotional changes - e.g. a normally confident, aggressive character being flustered or demure while making sexual advances
• aggressive, desperate, or "crazed" behaviour in pursuit of sex
• extremely forward propositions for sex
• references to being in heat, sexual frustration, needing "relief"

Related Tags:

• raised tail
• presenting
• presenting hindquarters

See also

• in_heat