What specialized organs do *Crotalus atrox* use, located between the nostrils and eyes, to detect warm-blooded prey?
Answer
Heat-sensing organs situated in the loreal pits
The hunting strategy employed by the Western Diamondback relies heavily on more than just smell and taste. While chemoreception is important, the text highlights a crucial sensory adaptation for locating warm-blooded animals, especially when hunting in darkness or poor visibility. These specialized tools are heat-sensing organs, which are physically located in the depressions on the face known as the loreal pits. These pits allow the snake to generate a thermal image of its surroundings, enabling precise detection of prey based on body heat, even when visual cues are completely absent.
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