Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone know how a BP's heat pits work? Do they see bodyheat like in the movie "Predator"? I always thought that was pretty cool. =)

Just Curious,
Chris
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"You ever heard of those? They're called parents. We have parents who love us. You don't 'cause you're a little orphan." -- Roy O'Bannon

I couldn't say it better Chris, I got this off of a zoological website:

"Heat-seeking missiles of the natural world, ball pythons can easily hone in on prey in utter darkness. Along a ball python's upper jaws, several scales cup inward, each forming a deep pit containing nerves that sense infrared, or body heat. The snake can tell which direction warmth is coming from because the pits open at different angles, like an open fan of folded paper. A temperature change of only 3/1000th of a degree sends a signal to the brain, alerting the snake to the nearby meal. These labial pits, coupled with the ability to see well in darkness, spell doom for its mammalian victim."

Jeff & Starr
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Great post Jeff!
That's a pretty damn sensitive snooter!!
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Greg Holland
G&M HERPS
www.gmherps.com
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

But it would've been cooler the other way...

Good Things,
Chris =)
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"You ever heard of those? They're called parents. We have parents who love us. You don't 'cause you're a little orphan." -- Roy O'Bannon

Glad we could help.

Kinda like the terminator huh Greg

Jeff & Starr
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Wait, so Balls can see well in the dark? I'm not talking about the heat thing, I'm talking about their eyesight. Do Balls have better eyesight than other snakes?
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon(Ziggy)
0.1.0 Royal/Ball Python(Not named yet)