The study of smell as communication is called Olfactory Communication. It is a fascinating area of research that explores how animals (including humans) use scents to convey information, such as:
* Social signals: Marking territory, attracting mates, recognizing individuals.
* Emotional states: Fear, stress, excitement.
* Environmental cues: Identifying food sources, detecting danger.
Other relevant terms include:
* Chemoreception: The detection of chemical stimuli.
* Pheromones: Chemical signals released by an animal that affect the behavior of other animals of the same species.
So, while "Ocalics" might sound like a plausible term for the study of smell as communication, it is not actually used in any scientific or academic context.