The five primary tastes are sweet, bitter, umami (savoury), sour and salty, which are detected by receptors on tongue cells.
Flavours are typically released by chewing, so animals that swallow their food whole, may taste them less vividly. Yet, there’s more to it.
undefined
In 2014, researchers showed that 15 species of food-gulping cetaceans, including minke whales and bottlenose dolphins, lack functional genes for sweet, bitter, umami and sour taste receptors.
They can’t taste these flavours, but they can still taste salt. The presence of salt receptors indicates they must play an important role, such as regulating sodium levels or blood pressure.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Nicola Short, via email) 'Do animals that swallow their food whole, perceive taste?'
To submit your questions, email us at questions@sciencefocus.com, or message our Facebook, X, or Instagram pages (don't forget to include your name and location).
Check out our ultimate fun facts page for more mind-blowing science.
Read more: