Editing Snake (section)

=== Perception ===
The sensory systems of snakes, particularly those of the Crotalidae family, commonly known as pit vipers, are among the most specialized in the animal kingdom. Pit vipers, which include rattlesnakes and related species, possess all the sensory organs found in other snakes, as well as additional adaptations. These include specialized [[infrared sensing in snakes|infrared-sensitive receptors]], known as pits, located on either side of the head between the nostrils and eyes. These pits, which resemble an additional pair of nostrils, are highly developed and allow pit vipers to detect minute temperature changes. Each pit consists of two cavities: a larger outer cavity positioned just behind and below the nostril, and a smaller inner cavity. These cavities are connected internally by a membrane containing nerves highly sensitive to thermal variations. The forward-facing pits create a combined field of detection, enabling pit vipers to distinguish objects from their surroundings and accurately judge distances. The sensitivity of these pits allows them to detect temperature differences as small as one-third of a degree Fahrenheit. Other infrared-sensitive snakes, such as those in the Boidae family, possess multiple smaller labial pits along the upper lip, just below the nostrils.{{sfn|Cogger|Zweifel|1992|p=180}}

Snakes rely heavily on their sense of smell to track prey. They collect particles from the air, ground, or water using their [[forked tongue]], which are then transferred to the [[vomeronasal organ]] (also known as Jacobson's organ) in the mouth for analysis.{{sfn|Cogger|Zweifel|1992|p=180}} The forked structure of the tongue provides directional information of smell which helps locate prey or predators. In aquatic species, such as the [[anaconda]], the tongue functions efficiently underwater.{{sfn|Cogger|Zweifel|1992|p=180}} When the tongue is retracted, the forked tips are pressed into the cavities of the Jacobson's organ, enabling a combined taste-smell analysis that provides the snake with detailed information about its environment.{{sfn|Campbell|Shaw|1974}}{{page needed|date=April 2024}}{{sfn|Cogger|Zweifel|1992|p=180}}

[[File:Ptyas gab fbi.png|thumb|A line diagram from ''[[The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma|The Fauna of British India]]'' by [[George Albert Boulenger|G. A. Boulenger]] (1890), illustrating the terminology of shields on the head of a snake]] Until the mid-20th century, it was widely believed that snakes were unable to hear.{{sfn|Campbell|Shaw|1974|p=19}}<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite journal |title=Sound garden: How snakes respond to airborne and groundborne sounds |date=2023 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0281285 |doi-access=free |last1=Zdenek |first1=Christina N. |last2=Staples |first2=Timothy |last3=Hay |first3=Chris |last4=Bourke |first4=Lachlan N. |last5=Candusso |first5=Damian |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=e0281285 |pmid=36787306 |pmc=9928108 |bibcode=2023PLoSO..1881285Z }}</ref> However, snakes possess two distinct auditory systems. One system, the somatic system, involves the transmission of vibrations through ventral skin receptors to the spine. The other system involves vibrations transmitted through the snake's elongated lung to the brain via cranial nerves. Snakes exhibit high sensitivity to vibrations, allowing them to detect even subtle sounds, such as soft speech, in quiet environments.{{sfn|Campbell|Shaw|1974|p=19}}{{Sfn|Cogger|Zweifel|1992|p=180}}<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Snake vision varies significantly among species. While some snakes have keen eyesight, others can only distinguish light from dark. However, most snakes possess visual acuity sufficient to track movement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.petplace.com/reptiles/reptile-senses-understanding-their-world/page1.aspx |title=Reptile Senses: Understanding Their World |website=Petplace.com |date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=January 9, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219062040/http://www.petplace.com/reptiles/reptile-senses-understanding-their-world/page1.aspx |archive-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> Arboreal snakes generally have better vision than burrowing species. Some snakes, such as the [[Ahaetulla|Asian vine snake]], possess [[binocular vision]], enabling both eyes to focus on the same point. Most snakes focus by moving the [[Lens (anatomy)|lens]] back and forth relative to the [[retina]]. Diurnal snakes typically have round pupils, while many nocturnal species have slit pupils. Most snakes possess three visual pigments, allowing them to perceive two primary colors in daylight. Certain species, such as the [[Hydrophis cyanocinctus|annulated sea snake]] and members of the genus [[Helicops (snake)|Helicops]], have regained significant color vision as an adaptation to their aquatic environments.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://neurosciencenews.com/color-vision-snake-genetics-23618/ |title=Sea Snakes Regained Color Vision via Rare Genetic Evolution |date=12 July 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928181052/https://neurosciencenews.com/color-vision-snake-genetics-23618/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2382064-some-sea-snakes-have-re-evolved-the-ability-to-see-more-colours/ |title=Some sea snakes have re-evolved the ability to see more colours |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928182513/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2382064-some-sea-snakes-have-re-evolved-the-ability-to-see-more-colours/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Research suggests that the last common ancestor of all snakes had [[Ultraviolet|UV]]-sensitive vision. However, many diurnal snakes have evolved lenses that filter out UV light, likely improving [[Contrast (vision)|contrast]] and sharpening their vision.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160816182620.htm |title=Snake eyes: New insights into visual adaptations |date=August 16, 2016 |website=[[ScienceDaily]] |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218105018/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160816182620.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/33/10/2483/2925599 |title=Visual Pigments, Ocular Filters and the Evolution of Snake Vision |last1=Simões |first1=Bruno F. |last2=Sampaio |first2=Filipa L. |last3=Douglas |first3=Ronald H. |last4=Kodandaramaiah |first4=Ullasa |last5=Casewell |first5=Nicholas R. |last6=Harrison |first6=Robert A. |last7=Hart |first7=Nathan S. |last8=Partridge |first8=Julian C. |last9=Hunt |first9=David M. |last10=Gower |first10=David J. |display-authors=1 |journal=[[Molecular Biology and Evolution]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |volume=33 |issue=10 |date=October 2016 |pages=2483–2495 |doi=10.1093/molbev/msw148 |pmid=27535583 |doi-access=free |access-date=1 March 2021 |archive-date=23 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323015254/https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/33/10/2483/2925599 |url-status=live |hdl=1983/2008257f-b043-4206-a44b-39ebbdd1bea8 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>