The VNO...Did Ya Know????

From time to time I see my house cats perform a curious behavior. They will grimace, lifting their heads and wrinkling their noses while their lips part and stretch. Doing a bit of research. I found out about the VNO; VOMERONASAL ORGAN.

Known also as Jacobson's Organ, having been named after one of the scientists who discovered it in 1813, many animals have this organ. Most often located at the base of the nasal cavity, the VNO  detects pheromones ( chemicals that carry messages between animals of the same species) and is utilized to detect reproductive and social cues. The VNO has been widely studied, yet it is still controversial in humans. It is speculated that this organ regresses during human fetal development. Chemical communication between humans is said to be present, however that does not necessarily mean that the human Vomeronasal Organ is performing this function.

Many animals have intact Jacobson's Organs, including all snakes and lizards, mice, rats, elephants, cattle, dogs, cats, goats and pigs. How a species uses its VNO physiologically changes in each group. Known as the Flehmen Response, some examples are;

    --Salamanders--tap their noses against another.
    --Snakes--rapidly flick their tongues.           
    --Elephants--inhale or touch with the 'finger' on their trunk.            
    --Turtles-- sniff to gather scents underwater.

 Did ya know????