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I see why we have two eyes and ears – but why two nostrils? (Part 2)

It is essential for both the hunter and the hunted to know which direction a smell is coming from, says one reader. Our sense of smell is better than you might think – so think twice before farting in an elevator

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Last Word is 91av’s long-running series in which readers give scientific answers to each other’s questions, ranging from the minutiae of everyday life to absurd astronomical hypotheticals. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.com

Binocular vision gives us a 3D perspective, and two ears let us locate the direction of a sound. But why two nostrils? (continued)

Richard Gregson
via email

For both the hunter and the hunted, knowing the direction of the source of a smell is essential. The directional ability of smell location by humans has been known for a long time. Georg von Békésy, who received the Nobel Prize for his work on hearing, also determined that the direction of an odour can be established by humans to about 7 degrees. Remember that when you feel inclined to break wind in an elevator.

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