Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Kenneth Catania And Moles
I too thought "the moles’ nostrils were too close together to effectively detect odor gradients." To make absolutely certain that they were not too close together, a great mind used a plastic tube to block one of the Moles' nostrils. If the right nostril was blocked, the Mole "veered" to the left as it followed scent. And if the left nostril was blocked the mole "veered" to the right. The study by Kenneth Catania was called, "Stereo and Serial Sniffing Guide Navigation to an Odor Source in Mammals."
Even more surprising than actually getting a Mole to cooperate in a laboratory setting, hold still while plastic tubes were stuffed in his nostrils, is the idea of deciding upon a Mole as a test representative for Mammals that sniff. I can only imagine that when not underground Moles become perfectly polite, caring and friendly. Say things like "Have a nice Day," wear top hats, carry a cane, are good conversationalists, probably enjoy the odd cocktail. And well worth reading Kenneth Catania's engrossing study, "Worm Grunting, Fiddling, and Charming - Humans Unknowingly Mimic a Predator to Harvest Bait." Which oddly enough is also about Moles.