Thermoreception
The ability to sense heat, which some animals use to find food or avoid danger.
What is it?
Thermoreception is the sense of detecting heat. Some snakes, like pythons and pit vipers, have special pit organs on their faces that can sense the body heat of warm-blooded animals. The Timor python uses these pits to find prey like rats and birds, and also to detect predators. Other animals that use thermoreception include some bats and beetles.
Why it matters
Thermoreception helps animals hunt in the dark and stay safe. It is a special adaptation that shows how animals evolve to use different senses.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more exhibits about thermoreception.
