When one little Caenorhabditis elegans worm dies in a petri dish, any others in the vicinity wiggle as far away as possible, prompting speculation that the eyeless invertebrates are responding to some sort of ‘death scent.’
Researchers have recently discovered that the reaction is triggered by specific chemicals, released as cells break down, that are detected by key sensory neurons.
This not only prompts the worms to move away, but it also makes them reproduce more quickly and then die sooner.
Flies also die more quickly in the same situation, so all in all, it’s best to avoid the scent of death.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Alina Mays, via email) 'Can animals smell death?'
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