Tidbit #22 - April 17, 2011

Dogs truly are man's best friend. They're fun to play with, they're loyal, they can be trained, they... have wet noses? What's up with that?

Question: Why do dogs have wet noses?


Answer: Ahh, Answers.com, where would we be without you?

Dogs noses secrete a small amount of mucus which serves two purposes: to help their sense of smell, and to keep themselves cool. The thin layer of mucus helps with the absorption of scent chemicals from the air. In addition, the nose, along with the mouth and the pads of the feet, is one of the locations where dogs bodies release heat. (Re: Answers.com)

Yep, that's right. That wet stuff on your dog's nose is mucus. Granted, it doesn't feel like that, but it is.

Short tidbit today, huh?

Here's your condensed summary for the day:

The wet stuff on a dog's nose is a thin layer of mucus that helps its sense of smell and helps to cool it down.