Where are the specialized heat-sensing pits, which function as infrared receptors, typically located on a python?
Answer
Along their jaws (labial pits).
Pythons possess sophisticated sensory apparatuses to aid their hunting, particularly in low-light conditions. These specialized heat-sensing pits, also referred to as labial pits, are specifically situated along the margins of their jaws. These structures are infrared receptors capable of detecting the thermal shadow or heat signature emitted by warm-blooded prey, such as mammals and birds. This thermal vision allows the snake to effectively hunt nocturnally or in environments where visual detection is impossible, complementing their already good senses of smell and sight.
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