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Underwater 'sniffing' by semi-aquatic mammals

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  • Kenneth C. Catania

    (Vanderbilt University, VU Station B, Box 35-1634)

Abstract

Terrestrial species that forage underwater face challenges because their body parts and senses are adapted for land — for example, it is widely held that mammals cannot use olfaction underwater because it is impossible for them to inspire air (sniff) to convey odorants to the olfactory epithelium1,2,3,4,5. Here I describe a mechanism for underwater sniffing used by the semi-aquatic star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) and water shrew (Sorex palustris). While underwater, both species exhale air bubbles onto objects or scent trails and then re-inspire the bubbles to carry the smell back through the nose. This newly described behaviour provides a mechanism for mammalian olfaction underwater.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenneth C. Catania, 2006. "Underwater 'sniffing' by semi-aquatic mammals," Nature, Nature, vol. 444(7122), pages 1024-1025, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:444:y:2006:i:7122:d:10.1038_4441024a
    DOI: 10.1038/4441024a
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