Reptile sensory systems are highly specialized and adapted to their diverse environments, allowing them to detect stimuli with remarkable precision. They rely on a combination of vision, olfaction, mechanoreception, and, in some cases, unique heat-sensing abilities to navigate, find food, avoid predators, and communicate.
- Vision: Reptiles generally have well-developed eyes that can detect a wide range of light wavelengths, including some ultraviolet.
- Olfaction: The sense of smell is often enhanced by the vomeronasal organ (Jacobson's organ), which detects pheromones and other chemical cues.
- Mechanoreception: Reptiles can sense vibrations and pressure changes through specialized receptors in their skin.
- Heat Detection: Some reptiles, notably pit vipers, pythons, and some boids, possess infrared-sensitive pit organs that allow them to detect the body heat of prey, providing a form of "thermal vision."
Reptile sensory systems include vision, olfaction, mechanoreception, and, in some cases, heat detection.
The vomeronasal organ (Jacobson's organ) is used by some reptiles to detect chemical cues.
Reptile vision includes color detection, sensitivity to motion, and in some species, ultraviolet light detection.
