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Flehmen response in the Tiger (Sumatran Tiger shown)

The flehmen response, pronounced [ˈflɛːmən or fleɪmən], also called the flehmen position, flehmen reaction, flehming, or flehmening (from German flehmen, meaning to curl the upper lip), is a particular type of curling of the upper lip in ungulates, felids, and many other mammals, which facilitates the transfer of pheromones and other scents into the vomeronasal organ, also called the Jacobson's Organ.

Contents

Exhibition

A mare exhibits the flehmen response by curling back her upper lip

In the flehmen response, animals draw back their lips in a manner that makes them appear to be "grimacing". The action, which is adopted when examining scents left by other animals either of the same species or of prey, helps expose the vomeronasal organ and draws scent molecules back toward it. This behavior allows animals to detect scents, for example from urine, of other members of their species or clues to the presence of prey. Flehming allows the animals to determine several factors, including the presence or absence of estrus, the physiological state of the animal, and how long ago the animal passed by. This particular response is recognizable, for example, in stallions when smelling the urine of a mare in heat.

Physiology

The vomeronasal organ, also called Jacobson's organ, is a chemoreceptor organ thought to have to do with the perception of certain scents and pheromones. It is named for its closeness to the vomer and nasal bones, and is particularly developed in animals such as cats and horses. The organ is located on the roof of the mouth. In addition to house cats and horses, animals who exhibit the flehmen reaction include buffalo1 , domestic cats2, tigers3, tapirs4, lionscitation needed, giraffescitation needed, goatscitation needed, and llamas.5

Similar responses

A grimace similar to the flehmen response may also be seen in association with pain.6 In horses it is often associated with low grade abdominal pain.

References

  1. ^ "Plains Bison Flehmen". Alaskan Alpine Treks.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  2. ^ "THE FELINE BEHAVIOR SERIES - Sense of Smell" (HTML). The Feline Behaviour Series. http://www.veterinarypartner.com www.veterinarypartner.com] (2003-06-07). Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  3. ^ "Enrichment - SCENT". Minnesota Zoo. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  4. ^ "Here's "flehmen" at you!". The Tapir Preservation Fund. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  5. ^ "Llama body language". The Llama Question and Answer Page. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  6. ^ "Facial Expression". The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at The University of Edinburgh. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  • Swaisgood, R. R., D. G. Lindburg, X. Zhou, and M. A. Owen. 2000. The effects of sex, reproductive condition and context on discrimination of conspecific odours by giant pandas. Anim. Behav. 60; 227-237.
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