2006-12-08 04:55:52 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
That would depend on the strength of the odor, and what that odor is comprised of. Distance isn't a factor- parts per million or billion in atmosphere would be what defines a smell's strength.
For instance, airborne molecules of acetic acid are responsible for the characteristic smell of vinegar. However, different types of vinegar, such as malt vinegar and wine vinegar smell different because they give off different mixtures of other chemicals. Some odours such as fresh coffee are extremely complex mixtures of hundreds of different odourants. We are able to sense these chemicals because they bind to protein receptors on cells in our nose. These receptors are a bit like locks that can only be opened by certain chemical keys. There are a variety of different receptors in the nose, which respond to different types of chemicals and produce the sensation of different smells.
The importance and sensitivity of smell varies among different organisms; most mammals have a good sense of smell, whereas most birds do not, excepting the tubenoses (e.g., petrels and albatrosses) and the kiwis. Among mammals it is well developed in the carnivores and ungulates, who must always be aware of each other, and in those, such as the moles, who smell for their food.
Dogs in general have a nose approximately a hundred thousand to a million times more sensitive than a human's.
A pig's sense of smell is slightly more sensitive than a dog's or a fox's, however depending on what the odor is (blood, sugar, oil, ect) and the concentration of those chemicals in the air, all three potentially could smell something from a half of a kilometer away.
Your question needs to be more defined to get a better response.
2006-12-08 05:06:15 · answer #1 · answered by myself_in_michigan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dog's sense of smell is 10X more sensitive than a human's.
A wolf or fox's smell is 10X more sensitive than a dog's (100X more than a human). Canines are hunters. They need to find food at a distance. Pigs forage for food. They need to be close to smell it. Go with the fox.
2006-12-08 05:08:26 · answer #2 · answered by Lorenzo Steed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A pig, but a bear has an even better sense of smell. A bear can smell food up to 2 miles away.
2006-12-08 05:04:13 · answer #3 · answered by doggiebike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A say a fox. Because I wanted to use the word "fox" in an answer.
2006-12-08 05:53:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a pig. the fox and the dog are basically the same answer and are obvious, so I'm gonna say the pig.
2006-12-08 05:03:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At a guess - a fox. However, my wife is also capable of this - she can smell money in my wallet - even if I leave it at work (which, by coincidence, is exactly one mile away from where I live)
2006-12-08 05:03:09 · answer #6 · answered by Phlodgeybodge 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A fox
2006-12-08 05:04:03 · answer #7 · answered by manfredo_pe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my husband said pig , i thought a fox would be more likely
2006-12-08 05:07:32 · answer #8 · answered by PAULA C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a pig but the best nose is a turkey vulture
2006-12-09 02:22:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe it's a pig.
2006-12-08 05:03:07 · answer #10 · answered by honey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋