Difference between revisions of "Snake Special Senses"
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==Chemoreception== | ==Chemoreception== | ||
[[Image:SpecSense_330.bmp|200px|thumb|right|©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]] | [[Image:SpecSense_330.bmp|200px|thumb|right|©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]] | ||
| − | The chemosensory system in reptiles is mediated by sensory cells in the nasal cavity and by [[Jacobsons organ|Jacobson's organ]] (vomeronasal organ) that is located in the roof of the mouth, caudal to the rostral scales and within the margins of the upper arcade. The tongues brings odoriferous particles to Jacobson's organ, which is innervated by the vomeronasal branch of the olfactory nerve. Receptors may also detect the presence of water. A chemosensory system analogous to taste exists in reptiles where taste buds and sensory papillae are spread throughout the oral mucosa. They are innervated primarily by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX). | + | The chemosensory system in reptiles is mediated by sensory cells in the nasal cavity and by [[Jacobsons organ|Jacobson's organ]] (vomeronasal organ) that is located in the roof of the mouth, caudal to the rostral scales and within the margins of the upper arcade. The tongues brings odoriferous particles to [[Jacobsons organ|Jacobson's organ]], which is innervated by the vomeronasal branch of the olfactory nerve. Receptors may also detect the presence of water. A chemosensory system analogous to taste exists in reptiles where taste buds and sensory papillae are spread throughout the oral mucosa. They are innervated primarily by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX). |
==Heat-sensitive receptors== | ==Heat-sensitive receptors== | ||
| − | Specialised infrared receptors, the heat-sensitive receptors or pit organs, occur on the heads of [[Boa constrictor|boids]] and pit vipers. They are extremely sensitive to small changes in the temperature and are used to locate | + | Specialised infrared receptors, the heat-sensitive receptors or pit organs, occur on the heads of [[Boa constrictor|boids]] and [[Pit viper|pit vipers]]. They are extremely sensitive to small changes in the temperature and are used to locate warm-blooded prey. In captivity they may make the eating of dead prey, especially if frozen, a problem. Ticks and [[Snake Mites|mites]] are frequently found in the pits of newly imported snakes. |
| − | [[Image:Boid_pits_-_789012.jpg|200px|thumb|right| | + | [[Image:Boid_pits_-_789012.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Boidae|Boid pits]] ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]][[Image:Pit_viper_pits_-_718041.jpg|200px|thumb|left|'''[[Pit viper|Pit viper pits]]''' ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]] |
| − | *In | + | *In [[Pit viper|pit vipers]], one heat sensitive pit organ occurs on each side of the head slightly ventral to a line drawn between the nostril and the eye. It appears that their sensory fields overlap and create heat perception in the three dimensions. They are innervated by the ophthalmic and maxillary branches of the trigenimal nerve. |
| − | *Most [[ | + | *Most [[Boidae|boids]] have receptors in pits along the upper labial scales. The morphology of the receptors varies among species. These pits are smaller and simpler than those of the pit vipers and are innervated by the ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular branches of the trigeminal nerve. |
*Find out more about [[Snake Feeding|snake feeding]] and how to give a [[Snake Physical Examination|physical examination]] | *Find out more about [[Snake Feeding|snake feeding]] and how to give a [[Snake Physical Examination|physical examination]] | ||
[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]] | [[Category:Snake_Anatomy]] | ||
Revision as of 21:40, 27 April 2010
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This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |
Chemoreception
The chemosensory system in reptiles is mediated by sensory cells in the nasal cavity and by Jacobson's organ (vomeronasal organ) that is located in the roof of the mouth, caudal to the rostral scales and within the margins of the upper arcade. The tongues brings odoriferous particles to Jacobson's organ, which is innervated by the vomeronasal branch of the olfactory nerve. Receptors may also detect the presence of water. A chemosensory system analogous to taste exists in reptiles where taste buds and sensory papillae are spread throughout the oral mucosa. They are innervated primarily by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX).
Heat-sensitive receptors
Specialised infrared receptors, the heat-sensitive receptors or pit organs, occur on the heads of boids and pit vipers. They are extremely sensitive to small changes in the temperature and are used to locate warm-blooded prey. In captivity they may make the eating of dead prey, especially if frozen, a problem. Ticks and mites are frequently found in the pits of newly imported snakes.
Boid pits ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved
Pit viper pits ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved
- In pit vipers, one heat sensitive pit organ occurs on each side of the head slightly ventral to a line drawn between the nostril and the eye. It appears that their sensory fields overlap and create heat perception in the three dimensions. They are innervated by the ophthalmic and maxillary branches of the trigenimal nerve.
- Most boids have receptors in pits along the upper labial scales. The morphology of the receptors varies among species. These pits are smaller and simpler than those of the pit vipers and are innervated by the ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular branches of the trigeminal nerve.
- Find out more about snake feeding and how to give a physical examination