Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Infrared sensing snakes use pit organs extensively to detect and target warm-blooded prey such as rodents and birds. Blind or blindfolded rattlesnakes can strike prey accurately in the complete absence of visible light, [13] [14] though it does not appear that they assess prey animals based on their body temperature. [15]
Many empirical studies have found evidence for the theory. Primates, including humans, are able to quickly detect snakes. [6] [7] Some studies have found that humans can detect snake images before subjective visual perception. [8] However, the pre-conscious detection of snake stimuli is still under debate by the scientific community. [9]
The snakes' face has a pair of holes, or pits, lined with temperature sensors. The sensors indirectly detect infrared radiation by its heating effect on the skin inside the pit. They can work out which part of the pit is hottest, and therefore the direction of the heat source, which could be a warm-blooded prey animal.
Lynne A. Isbell (born 1955) is an American ethologist and primatologist, professor of anthropology at the University of California, Davis.. Isbell has served as president of the American Society of Primatologists and is the originator of the snake detection theory, which suggests that snakes have contributed to the evolution of the visual system of primates.
The higher the altitude, the less dense the atmosphere and the less infrared radiation it absorbs - especially at longer wavelengths. The effect of reduction in friction between air and aircraft does not compensate for the better transmission of infrared radiation. Therefore, infrared detection ranges are longer at high altitudes.
2003). A variety of similar investigations involving human, plant, and animal studies performed in different global locations consistently demonstrate that mercury concen-trations are inversely associated with distance to the environmental source (Ordonez et al., 2003; Fernandez et al., 2000; Hardaway et al., 2002; Navarro et al., 1993;
By John Revill. BERN (Reuters) - Switzerland said on Tuesday it was concerned by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposals to raise tariffs and is considering how to respond if his new ...
Smaller snakes are less likely to stand their ground than larger specimens. Pollution and the destruction of rainforests have caused many pit viper populations to decline. Humans also threaten pit vipers, as many are hunted for their skins or killed by cars when they wander onto roads. [citation needed]