Ball Pythons and Infrared Thermometers

I use an infrared thermometer with my ball pythons and other snakes, and was wondering if my snakes can see the infrared light that is emitted by the thermometer? I believe that their heat sensor pits detect infrared light, and that is how they detect body heat, if this is not correct can someone please tell me the difference between infrared light and body heat? I know most night vision nowadays depends on IR illuminators and the goggles just detect the IR light being put out by the night vision set itself, but isnt infrared vision also what they use to see heat?

I dont want to disturb the snake by beaming it in the face with an IR pulse from the thermometer...

Body heat is detected by the temps and the laser from your thermometer does not emit heat! Balls can't see infrared so this is why it is recommended to use a infrared bulb to light and to heat ambient temps!

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Originally Posted by Ham

I dont want to disturb the snake by beaming it in the face with an IR pulse from the thermometer...

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While I don't think they can see it... I still wouldn't suggest beaming it in the face.

Ya I would not aim it in the snakes face, but those IR beams come out in cones that can be over 6 inches across depending on how far away u hold the thermometer.

I know the laser is not going to emit much heat, but the laser is not what measures the temperature on the IR thermometers, the laser is for aiming purposes, it measures temp with an invisible beam of Infrared...

And although they wouldnt see the normal light from the infrared heat bulbs i am sure they can "see" the "heat" from them with their heat sensing organs...

I guess what I am trying to say is this:

I know ball pythons can "see" heat with their pits on their lips...

I know IR cameras display heat...

So is the IR light from my thermometer "visible" to my ball pythons?