What ability allows animals to detect and differentiate various scents?

The ability that enables animals to detect and differentiate various scents is referred to as smell discrimination. This term encompasses the processes involved in recognizing and distinguishing between different odorants present in the environment. Animals, particularly dogs, have a highly developed olfactory system that allows them to perceive numerous scents and discern subtle differences in odor profiles. This capacity is crucial for various behaviors, including hunting, foraging, and social interactions, where scent plays a significant role.

The other terms provided may relate to aspects of scent perception but do not specifically highlight the ability to discriminate between different scents as accurately as smell discrimination does. For instance, sound sensitivity pertains to an animal's reaction to and perception of sound, while scent sensitivity might refer to the general capacity to detect scents without the nuanced capability to differentiate between them. Odor recognition could imply familiarity with a specific scent but does not encompass the broader skill of distinguishing between various odors in a more complex array. Thus, smell discrimination is the most precise term for the given ability.