Science and Biology.

I tried a search, and have asked similar questions about the vision of Royal pythons, but I am more curious how it relates to boas.

Most of the pythons have visible heat pits and they use them very effectively to track and ambush their prey. In the case of the Royal python, it's noted that their vision is not particularly good but they are able to see.

Boas, BCI/BCC lack the visible heat pits but have incredible feeding responses and have been said to hunt by ambush and actively seeking prey. Though primarily nocturnal, they are also know to be out and about by day.

The several books I've read about the larger constrictors do not go into great detail about the Jacobson's organ or whether its more refined in boa without heat pits.

I'm wondering if anybody really knows if boas have better vision than the snakes with the heat pits, or if their Jacobson's organ is more refined.

The colubrids without heat pits, like the king can actually sight hunt.

Are there any science/biology herp folks out there that can shed light on this?

hum this question is on another forum of mine with quite a few boa experts, I find this a very good question and Im looking forward to some answers :)

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Originally Posted by Hotsalza

hum this question is on another forum of mine with quite a few boa experts, I find this a very good question and Im looking forward to some answers :)

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I posted it on Reptile insider as well. Yeah I'm curious as to the comparisons.

lmao I didn't even realize you were the same person, I should start paying attention to screen names haha Im "Jendee" on RI

OK then,,,! I will keep that in mind. I read through some of the links one of the posters put up. It's interesting stuff.

A link to your other thread on the other side would be cool.

I don't know about their Jacobson's organ but I believe my Boas can see really well.

They watch me intently every I go near the fridge where their supper is stored and get all excited, hoping we'll have an impromptu 'extra' feeding day.

I've also seen videos of Boas grabbing birds out of the air and I don't think heat sensing would be terribly efficient for that.

I did find this interesting page

http://www.eyedesignbook.com/ch3/eyech3-f.html

And this:

Communication and Perception

Like most snakes, boa constrictors rely on strong vomeronasal senses. Their tongues flick continuously, bringing odor molecules into contact with the chemosensory (vomeronasal) organ in the top of their mouths. In this manner, they constantly sense chemical cues in their enviornment. Boa constrictors have good vision, even into the ultraviolet spectrum. In addition, they can detect both vibrations in the ground and sound vibrations through the air through their jaw bones. They do not have external ears. Unlike most boids, boa constrictors lack thermosensory pits. (Mattison, 2007; O'Shea, 2007; Sillman, et al., 2001; Stone and Holtzman, 1996)

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Originally Posted by Poseidon

A link to your other thread on the other side would be cool.

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Ask and you shall receive. http://www.reptileinsider.com/showth...-Sight-in-boas

It sort of died on the vine, but there is some interesting info.

I think it's becoming more apparent to me that boas have some good visual awareness as Salamander stated.

Keep the info coming if anybody has more.

OMG...what do we look like to our snakes??

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/wi...ermamouse1.jpg