Feb 25, 2008

Sniff

The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) has a number of fascinating characteristics, but I never knew this one: they can sniff underwater. Now, I can sniff underwater too, with the result being a lot of coughing and cursing. But the star-nosed mole can do it productively. They can smell underwater. The image below demonstrates.

Do you see it now? Two bubbles emerging from the betentacled nostrils? Don't try that at home people.

Thanks for the photo, Ida.

Photo source: LiveScience via Animal Picture Archives

3 comments:

Arallyn said...

it looks more like giant snot globules coming out of an outer space sea anemone.

Unknown said...

I guess those weird noses had to be good for something!

Anonymous said...

I think this little beauty starts to become a pretty good candidate to outrank the naked molerat as my favorite small sized ugly.