Star Nosed Mole Can Smell Underwater
January 16th, 2008
I’m struggling to figure out which is the coolest part of this story – that such a thing as a star-nosed mole exists, with its crazy nasal tentacles, that it can swim underwater, or that when it’s swimming it can sniff out tasty morsels of food. I think this makes the star-nosed mole triply-awesome. Or maybe aweome3. From New Scientist:
High speed video footage shows that the star-nosed mole and the water shrew sniff through water by quickly re-inhaling the air bubbles that leave their nostrils.
Based on these counter-intuitive findings, researchers speculate that other semi-aquatic mammals might also have the capacity to pick up on underwater scents.
Video below the fold…
Entry Filed under: General
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6 Comments
1. M@ | January 19th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
cool. Didn’t even know they existed.
If you like that check this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp8aqKKfQ8U
2. Frank the SciencePunk | January 21st, 2008 at 10:00 pm
way ahead of you, bro.
link
definitely awesome.
3. Ash | January 27th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I was just impressed by the size of a regular moles mits compared to it’s face! The smelling under water super power may have tipped the balance to this being my new favourite mole.
4. kayne | February 11th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
hey i hate a star nosed mole they are ugly bye
5. Ben | January 22nd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
weird
6. anny | February 4th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
you should see this animal its so cool
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