![](https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/mammals_horse_bridle_flehmen_wiki.jpg)
4 January 2024
Is this horse neighing? Is the lion roaring?
![](https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/mammals_male_lion_flehmen_wiki-1024x790.jpg)
No. In both cases they have smelled something interesting, perhaps a female in heat, and are breathing through their mouths and opening their airways to take in as much scent as possible into a special olfactory organ called the vomeronasal organ.
They are making a flehmen response. On Throwback Thursday, learn more and see a video in this vintage article: