Question: How good is an axies sense of smell?

[narny101]

I've wondered this for a while,

my axie has horrible eye sight (so do all axis I believe) probably can't here much underwater (plus the food makes no noise) however she always seems to find pellets
I drop on the floor of the tank. so how do they do it? I guess they smell it but I didn't think you could smell underwater?

just wondering....

 

[auntiejude]

Re: How good is an axies scence of smell?

By the time axies are about 2-3" long they can smell fine. You're right, they don't have very good eyesight, but they can see well enough in daylight to see their prey (and the owner). Their sense of smell is as good as it needs to be. But they rely primarily on movement for thier food when they are very small.

They smell underwater exactly the same as any the animal in or out of the water. Land animals smell by dissolving tiny odour molecules in water in their olfactory passages, underwater they just detect the molecules already in the water.

 

[layna]

Re: How good is an axies scence of smell?

If you have a loose substrate(sand, as gravel is a no no) id invest in a dish/plate/jar to put the pellets on as sand can cause impaction too if eaten

 

[narny101]

Re: How good is an axies scence of smell?

thanx for the replies, it is interesting to watch them find food that got dropped, i didn't know you could smell underwater.....i guess you learn something everyday








don't worry, i have a bear bottom tank. i am aware of that problem, Luna was kept on gravel at the aquarium i got her from

 

[NexSocius]

Re: How good is an axies scence of smell?

I've often wondered this too, and from watching Chernobyl's eating patterns, I do believe their sense of smell is decent. I hand feed him bloodworms at the moment, which make a bit of a mess. After he takes the majority of the worms, he then goes around and vaccuums the mess up. He won't go near the baster (he hates it) unless theres worms in it.

 

[snuggly time]

Re: How good is an axies scence of smell?

I think their sense of smell is really good. Mine knows when there's a worm in the tank, even if it's at the other side. He can even pin point it if I drop it high up in one of his plants.

 

[Petersgirl]

Mine can smell worms hidden under their slate! I see them snuffling at the floor, trying to figure out where they're gone

 

[SariYappa]

I have to tell you, Chupa is blind as a bat!
I have been trying to feed her more often to fatten her up. Now, when she's not hungry, she likes to just wear her food

 

[LurkDog]

They seem to be pretty blind to me, so I assume that they have pretty good smell?

 

[Dragonfire]

Yeah mine can definitely see just not well haha he likes to snap a thermometer sometimes (probably because the red in it) also being they don't rely on sight means the eyeless morph axies look pretty cool but don't suffer from their odd morph

 

[HayleyK]

I think Carlos has ok smelling. He can smell pellets and worms but will walk over them, back up over them, walk over them, back up and then find it. It's quite amazing to watch feeding time usually goes "noooo you silly, it's under your belly! Yes, that's right reverse it up and you got it... Ahhh too far buddy... Just a cm up further almost there.."

 

[Kaini]

I think Carlos has ok smelling. He can smell pellets and worms but will walk over them, back up over them, walk over them, back up and then find it. It's quite amazing to watch feeding time usually goes "noooo you silly, it's under your belly! Yes, that's right reverse it up and you got it... Ahhh too far buddy... Just a cm up further almost there.."

Oh my goodness yes, Zion does this too. He'll walk right over his food then have to turn himself around to find it again xD It's so silly to watch.

 

[HayleyK]

Oh my goodness yes, Zion does this too. He'll walk right over his food then have to turn himself around to find it again xD It's so silly to watch.

I think its hilarious to watch. I'll spread out a pinch of pellets over his sandstone rock and watch him try and pick them up in a space of 20 minutes. Its hilarious and pathetic at the same time :lol: