Sneezing is not limited to human beings. Also known as sternutation, many creatures experience the body's reflex for clearing the nose of foreign matter, such as dirt, pollen, smoke, dust, etc. But most of those creatures are mammals. Even seals sneeze, but they've got the air power to back it up.
Now, scientists have confirmed that sea sponges are able to expel globs of mucus from their bodies in a manner similar to sneezing. It isn't exactly a new discovery, but until a matter of months ago, they didn't fully understand how it worked.
In a recent study published in Current Biology, researchers discovered that sponges slowly expel mucus through their seawater inlet pores, known as ostia, to rid them of unwanted particles.
Rebecca WestRW
Rebecca is a writer and editor for both print and digital with a love for travel, history, archaeology, trivia, and architecture. Much of her writing has focused on human and animal health and welfare. A life-long pet owner, she has taken part in fostering dogs for military members during deployment and given many rescued and surrendered dogs the forever home they always wanted. Her two favorite canine quotes are, "Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are," and "My dog rescued me."
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