Infrared Reception
Infrared lies just to the right of the visible band of light on the electromagnetic spectrum. This sensory receptor is especially useful at night when visible light is unavailable. Visible light is emitted from the sun but infrared is emitted directly from any surface of any object with a temperature above absolute zero, that is to say any object warmer than -273°C.
Some species of snake are able to detect infrared which helps them in their search for food in the absence of visible light. In some species such as Boa Constrictors, the infrared receptors are nerve endings which lie within the scales along the top lip. In Pythons the nerve endings are located at the bottom of a series of several pits along the lips. The venomous Pit Vipers take their name from the presence of a pair of facial pits which differ from the pits of Pythons. A Pit Vipers nerve endings are located halfway between the bottom and top of the pit rather than at the bottom as seen in Pythons. This suspended arrangement allows for the nerve endings to be more rapidly warmed by the infrared radiation allowing for greater sensitivity. A Pit Viper is able to detect the presence of a mouse from about 30cm away whereas Pythons and Boas can detect mice from a distance of 15cm and 7cm, respectively.
Some species of snake are able to detect infrared which helps them in their search for food in the absence of visible light. In some species such as Boa Constrictors, the infrared receptors are nerve endings which lie within the scales along the top lip. In Pythons the nerve endings are located at the bottom of a series of several pits along the lips. The venomous Pit Vipers take their name from the presence of a pair of facial pits which differ from the pits of Pythons. A Pit Vipers nerve endings are located halfway between the bottom and top of the pit rather than at the bottom as seen in Pythons. This suspended arrangement allows for the nerve endings to be more rapidly warmed by the infrared radiation allowing for greater sensitivity. A Pit Viper is able to detect the presence of a mouse from about 30cm away whereas Pythons and Boas can detect mice from a distance of 15cm and 7cm, respectively.
©2014 Cat Read