Posted by Robin on 9 Comments
Sex and violence, or at least death, are the key to reproduction for the orchid Satyrium pumilum. Research led by Timotheüs van der Niet at the University of KwaZulu-Natal shows that the orchid lures flies into its flowers by mimicking the smell of rotting flesh.
— Read more at Orchid Lures Flies With Scent of Rotting Flesh at Science Daily.
Second, females may actually stop emitting male-enticing pheromones after they have mated. This occurs in the gypsy moth, so the pregnant female can flutter away without being pestered by other amorous males (Lymantria dispar).
— From Male animals can 'smell' whether a potential partner is a virgin or not at Sify News.
Posted by Robin on 21 Comments
The folks at the San Diego Zoo want your "old or unused cologne and perfume":
The Behavioral Biology Division of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research is currently conducting a research project examining individual and species enrichment preferences for large felids (lions, tigers, and cheetahs) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (see post, Big Cat Preferences, Part 2). Based on some preliminary results, we are interested in learning more about different scents (perfumes) that attract the animals and promote the behavior of exploration.
For information about how to donate, go here. Many thanks to odonata9 for the link!
See also: Tiger Bait, Not Just For Tigers, Curious, unpredictable, and mischievous
Posted by Robin on 6 Comments
Squirrels douse themselves with rattlesnake scent as a safety measure, scientists suggest, and likely have done so for at least 18 million years.
— Read more at Rattlesnake perfume a longtime squirrel safety measure at USA Today.
Posted by Robin on 12 Comments
To wine and dine Sasha, a 450-pound Siberian tiger at the Bronx Zoo, try serving beef and rabbit. To lure him for a snack, whip out the frozen treats his zookeepers call "bloodcicles." But to really get his olfactory engines running, you need the secret weapon: Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men.
— From Big Cats Obsess Over Calvin Klein's 'Obsession for Men' at the Wall Street Journal.