Question about BP vision

Very cool stuff everyone, and thanks for sharing. I am going to have to disagree with restless robie, however, in his claim that different colored rats will smell different. They will look different to a snake however the smell will be the exact same. Maybe you mis-spoke?

@gsarchie: he stated that a white MALE will smell different than the black FEMALE..... ;)

I can not recall where I heard this from, perhaps it was on Python Hunters. I believe they were talking about new science coming out that pointed to the possibility that pythons and venemous can actually switch from normal limited colour vision to IR at will by turning on/off the heat pits and also that they may be able to overlap them together (mindblown). This would give them more differentiating ability between objects with similar temperatures and also would give them the ability to hunt in complete darkness which is when most heat pit snakes are on the prowl for food.

I see. Thank you, Courtney, for pointing that out. Can't call me Bruce? I see how it is. ;)

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

I see. Thank you, Courtney, for pointing that out. Can't call me Bruce? I see how it is. ;)

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Bruce! Haha not Archie ok i got it now we need a real name thread if one doesn't exist. Sorry no hijacking tho I've also wondered how my snakes see so its nice getting input on it. Is it true they can't hear tho?

I am not sure how they process images no one can. The information from the eyes and heat pits are both processed by the same part of the brain so both should be thought of as vision but it is hard to say how that looks. I wish there was some way to see what they see. The UV is limited with Royals but other species is quite pronounced they believe it is not likely to be functional usage in royals. Carpets have been proven to see well in UV. It is amazing to think there is so much variation in spectral range from one to the other.

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

I see. Thank you, Courtney, for pointing that out. Can't call me Bruce? I see how it is. ;)

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Hardy har har.....I'm sorry my friend, Bruce :P
I just figured that not everyone knew your real name, so it would be better if I used your username.

No worries, Mr. Carlson! Archie is something that both my cousin and I are called by our military peers so it is fine with me.

Courtney - it is in my signature, but I see where you're coming from. I forgive you - this time! ;)

I am confused now... Because I was told if a UTH does not produce enough heat then get an overhead INFRARED light, because it can be on 24 hours without disturbing their nocturnal nature (unlike a normal light, which disrupts their pattern because they would be able to see it at night time).
!?!

Maybe someone mentioned this and I missed it but I recall reading that the nerves and sensors connected to their heat pits are overlayed onto their eyes in such a way where in a sense, pythons have a somewhat wider range of colour in their vision than us humans.
However that was in a kid's book and several years ago so who knows if that's changed since. :rolleyes:

I think the vision of pythons/boas is something really amazing though and I wish there was a much more cohesive collection of information about it! It's incredible that for how many people own snakes, we actually don't know that much about their fine inner workings. They're just such an incredible group of animals, I will continue to be amazed by them.