Here, the cat is “smelling” its environment by collecting pheromones that are passed to the vomeronasal organ. It might look silly and cute like a flehman response, but cats do it for a reason.

Humans lack these special ducts and the vomeronasal organs to go with them. In fact, that’s probably why you’ve never heard of the flehmen response—it’s not something we can do.

In this way, chemical cues picked up by the vomeronasal organ directly influence a cat's behavior. Unlike odors, the meaning of which is learned and can change with new experiences, pheromones ...

Vomeronasal organ, also known as Jacobson's organ, present in the nose remains a mystery. Explore its presence in humans and its role in communication and sexual behavior.

Sensory Organ, Not Brain, Differentiates Male And Female Behavior In Some Mammals Date: August 6, 2007 Source: Harvard University Summary: Biologists have found that the epicenter of sex-specific ...

Organisms throughout the animal kingdom communicate using special sensory organs known as vomeronasal organs. They are able to sense the chemicals around them (similar to scent) and mediate social ...

May 22, 2008 — -- Vestigial organs are parts of the body that once had a function but are now more-or-less useless. Probably the most famous example is the appendix, ... Vomeronasal organ.