The Flehmen Response
Lili Chin
The Flehmen Response is a facial grimace, lip curl, gaping mouth that happens when an animal is “smelling” (processing scent messages) with their vomeronasal organ (VMO) which is located on the inside roof of their mouth. When cats do this, their facial expression is often misinterpreted as “angry” or “displeased” when they are simply “smelling”!
Scent communication and VMOs are all over the animal world and many species do this! Even amphibians and reptiles have VMOs but they don’t flehmen (look funny) the way that mammals do!
The Flehmen Response is a new print that is available for purchase in my shop.
I don't know why but I think The Flehmen Response is a good name for a prog rock band.
P.s. Dr. Eddie Fernandez has pointed out that my tapir’s teeth are too perfect and looks like he has had braces! 😂
