Some Mammals Sniff Underwater

According to a new study, there are a few mammals that can smell underwater:

"The 22-digit proboscis that gives the star-nosed mole its name is one of the most sensitive organs of touch in all mammals, the Vanderbilt University neurobiologist said. Catania knows the mole well and his earlier research on the animal already has earned him one of the so-called 'genius grants.'
"But while filming the mole in slow motion underwater he noticed something weird. The animal was using its unusual nose not only to touch the objects it encountered, but also to blow air bubbles at them that it sucked back in rapidly." ...
"Catania had never thought to question the common scientific assumption that mammals are totally unable to smell underwater." ...
"But as he studied the video on slow motion, the star-nosed mole appeared to be sniffing. Catania devised a very simple way to test this: He laid down an underwater scent trail leading to little bits of food.
"His moles were able to follow the trails with great accuracy, and he was convinced they were using the air bubbles to smell.
"Then, to be sure this was not just a fluke of what he acknowledges is a very unusual creature, Catania decided to test another semi-aquatic mammal. The water shrew also was able to follow a scent trail.
"His discovery appeared Thursday in the scientific journal Nature.
"Catania likened the behavior of the mole and shrew to that of mice and rats, which also exhale and then inhale when sniffing for food.
"Watching a video of the mole blowing and inhaling bubbles on his office computer screen, Catania said, 'What's so weird about it is you usually don't get to see a sniff, because air in air ... you can't see that. And here we're basically seeing a sniff.'" ...
"The study suggests that other semi-aquatic mammals, like seals and otters could have this ability, something Catania hopes to research in the future, he said. And the studies could have greater significance as they progress."

[Full text in StrangeArk archive.]