Researchers have discovered that African Elephants have the largest number of genes dedicated to smell of any mammal.
If you have ever wondered how an elephant smells, scientists have the answer. Pretty good.
Researchers have discovered that African Elephants have the largest number of genes dedicated to smell of any mammal.
Given the size of their trunks, and how important it is to their survival, it is probably unsurprising that an elephant’s nose is not only the longest in the animal kingdom, but also the most effective.
In comparison, humans and other primates have a poor sense of smell.
“The functions of these genes are not well known, but they are likely important for the living environment of African elephants,” said author Dr Yoshihito Niimura of the University of Tokyo.
