Sixth Sense: The Vomeronasal Organ

Sixth sense: vomeronas "We smell more than I know" (Hercule Poirot) The nose actually contains two sensory channels. The first one is familiar olfactory system familiar to humans. The second channel is the vomeronasal complex, which has its own separate organs, brain and brain structures in the brain. The function of the vomeronasal system is to detect pheromones, chemical messengers that transmit information between individuals of the same species.

This is compared with the less known Vomeronasal System, which recognizes various molecules called pheromones. The system relies on a small tubular structure in the mouth - vomeronasal or VNO - located between the top of the mouth and the bottom of the nose. When VNO detects a pheromone, the system immediately awakens the reaction without conscious processing or learning. A primate with a fully functional vomeronasal system uses it for a variety of things.

Like most snakes, big python relies on powerful vomeronasal sensation. Their tongue constantly bounces and brings the odor molecules at the top of the mouth into contact with chemosensory (vomeronasal). In this way, they constantly feel the chemical signal of the environment. Boa's shrinkage agent has good vision and even enters the UV spectrum. You can also detect vibrations on the ground and vibrations from the tibia through the air. They do not have external ears. Unlike most voids, the booster does not have a heat acceptor. (Mattison, 2007; O'Shea, 2007; Sillman et al., 2001; Stone and Holtzman, 1996)

Additional sensory organs: Some reptiles have a special feeling called vomeronasal organ (also known as Jacobson's organ). This organ is at the top of the mouth. It captures chemical molecules used to find spouses, predators and baits. Note: It is speculated that some amphibian (Plethodontid salamander) may be similar, but may have complex ability. Some snakes have a thermometer (induction heat) on their face that allows them to find their prey in perfect darkness.

Snakes use scents to keep track of prey. They gather the particles in the air with a bifurcated tongue and then hand it over to the vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ in the mouth for examination. The fork on the tongue also gives the snake a sense of sense of smell and taste. They keep moving their tongue, sampling particles from air, groundwater, water, analyzing chemicals found, and judging the presence of baits and predators in the local environment. In an aquatic snake such as a python, the tongue works effectively in the water