What physical feature distinguishes Crotalinae from the subfamily Viperinae?
Answer
Heat-sensing pit organ
The subfamily Crotalinae, commonly known as pit vipers, is distinguished from the subfamily Viperinae by the presence of a loreal pit organ. This specialized structure, located between the eye and the nostril, acts as an infrared detector, allowing the snake to sense heat from prey. This anatomical distinction is a primary factor in the taxonomic division between these two major subfamilies.
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