Scientists Uncover Why Wet Dogs Shake Themselves Dry
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified the neural mechanism behind the shaking behavior of wet dogs and other hairy mammals. By studying mice, they discovered that the Piezo2 gene and C-LTMRs mechanoreceptors are crucial for this behavior, which is triggered by stimuli like water or oils. The study mapped the sensory signal pathway from the skin to the brain, providing a detailed understanding of this natural drying tactic.