Did you know butterflies’ taste sensors are in their feet? They taste their food by standing on it!

A butterfly's feet have sense organs that can taste the sugar in nectar, letting the butterfly know if something is good to eat or not. These receptors (called chemoreceptors) are nerve cells on the body's surface which react to certain chemicals. They operate on a system similar to a lock and key. When a particular chemical runs into a chemoreceptor, it fits into a “lock” on the nerve. This sends a message to the nerve cell telling the butterfly that it has encountered the chemical.

   Source: www.monarchwatch.org

We have similar receptors (luckily) situated in our nose and tongue.  These classify the different tastes and smells we encounter in our daily lives. See, your mom was right - there is always something to be thankful for!