Do Mammals Blow Their Noses Like Humans?

Have you ever wondered if mammals, like humans, blow their noses when they have a tickle in their nasal passages? While the process may look somewhat different, many creatures indeed find ways to clear their nasal passages. This article delves into the surprising and amusing ways that various mammals handle nasal discharges.

Primates and the Art of Nose Blowing

It's a common misconception that only humans blow their noses. Primates, including chimps, often display behaviors that look uncannily like nose-blowing. In fact, a video I once witnessed showed an angry chimp throwing turds until it ran out of them, and then resorted to sharting so hard that it emitted a sound like a human blowing their nose.

Primates, both young and old, have their own unique methods of addressing nasal irritation. Sometimes, an elderly primate might press a finger to one nostril, blowing hard through the other, bending forward to avoid staining their clothing. This behavior is not exclusive to primates; some dogs also exhibit sniff-sniff-sniff SNARF (an exaggerated display of sniffing).

Other Animals with Unique Nostril Practices

While primates use their fingers, other mammals employ different methods to clear their nasal passages.

Marine Iguanas: These marine reptiles have a unique adaptation where they regularly blow salt out of their noses. Since they feed underwater, they often intake large amounts of seawater, which they then expel through their nasal passages. The expelled salt can accumulate and form a whitish crest on their heads over time.

Cats and Dogs: Felines and canines frequently blow out their noses when irritants enter their nasal passages. This could be a strand of fur or any other small object. For the animals, it's a natural reflex, but for pet owners, it's often adorable. One bulldog, named Gulliver, blows his nose frequently during affectionate sessions, likely to clear any potential irritants.

Elephants: The Slow-Blow Artists

Elephants at the zoo are actually quite skilled at nose-blowing, and the result can be quite dramatic. During a visit to a zoo, my friend observed an elephant blowing its nose so forcefully that it sprayed the audience. She was drenched in snot and never quite felt comfortable around elephants again, at least not those particular ones, as it was her childhood and she was wearing a favorite sweater, making the experience even more traumatic.

Are Animals Amused by Nose Blowing?

While observing mammals blow their noses, one might wonder if they find humor in the act. In general, animals do not share our sense of humor. Their responses to nasal discharges are purely instinctual and not influenced by amusement or embarrassment.

There is one notable exception to this rule: Kangaroos. Kangaroos stand out because they do not engage in bottom burping. Unlike other mammals, they do not have the bacterial population required to produce flatulence. Instead, they exhibit a more refined nasal behavior, which some might even call dignified, but it's unlikely they would find it particularly amusing.

Conclusion

Mammals, from primates to marine iguanas, dogs to elephants, use various methods to clear their nasal passages when irritated. While the process might look familiar to humans, it's important to recognize that their methods are rooted in instinctual responses rather than amusement. Understanding these behaviors can help us appreciate the unique ways in which different animals adapt to their environments.