Humans along with most animals have five senses, but some snakes have a sixth sense. That sense is very important to snakes and has the potential to be very useful to humans as well.
Snakes can see heat through the small holes in the scales on their faces. These holes send visual images to a snake’s mind when it senses any changes in heat. This is useful when snakes are finding prey or getting away from predators.
Pythons, boas, and pit vipers can view heat. Snakes are able to feel if a predator or prey is close by the rising or declining temperature; even as little as 0.003 degrees Celsius. Snakes can attack their prey or avoid an enemy by seeing them through their body temperature. Snakes can use this sense by itself or use it with their sight.
Scientists might be able to find cancer by copying the snake’s sixth sense. Similar to a snake’s ability to find its prey through temperature, scientists would like to use temperature technology to detect cancer.
Snakes’ sixth sense gives them a useful advantage over their prey. This sense is a great finding system, especially when it comes to their survival and could possibly help humans find cures for our survival.
[Sources:
National Geographic; Simpson Street Free Press Archives
]
