The jacobson’s organ, or vomeronasal organ, is an organ of chemoreception, found in amphibians, reptiles and mammals (Zug, 2021). All cats have a Jacobson’s organ located in the roof of their mouth that allows them to analyze pheromones, or scent chemicals (PJB, 2021). This facial expression is known as the flehmen response (Mowatt, 2016). The cats are able to gather all sorts of information while doing this facial expression. You may have seen your domestic cat engage in this expression and information gathering.
The information gathered lets animals know if others are ready to mate, helps them find prey- mainly used by snakes- and information about aggression and territory among the same species (Zug, 2021).
Literature Cited:
Mowatt, E. (2016, July 18). Tigers: Smelling in high def. Wildlife Conservation Society.
Pam Johnson-Bennett. (2021). What is the vomeronasal organ? Pam Johnson-Bennet. https://catbehaviorassociates.com/what-is-the-vomeronasal-organ/
Parliament of Owls. (2021, March 18). Mountain lion displays the flehmen response [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/dVNwIheA6_E
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. (2021, January 16). [Jacobson organ] [Photograph] Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/riverbankszoo/photos/a.10150194377910292/10158132591345292/?type=3
Zug, G.R. (2021). Jacobson’s organ. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/science
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