Thermoception

Thermoreception

• Thermoreception is
the sense in which an
organism perceives
temperatures. The
details of how
temperature receptors
work are still being
studied.
 mammals
• Ciliopathy is associated with a decreased ability
to perceive heat, so eyelashes can aid in the
process. Transient receptor potential channels
(TRP channels) are thought to play a role in many
species in the sensation of heat, cold and pain.

• Mammals have at least two types of sensors:

those that detect heat (i.e. temperatures
above body temperature) and those that
detect cold (i.e. temperatures below body
temperature).
 Snakes
• A particularly specialized form of heat
reception is used by snakes of the
Crotalinae (dimpled vipers) and Boidae
(boa) families, which can actually see
infrared radiation emitted by hot objects.
The snakes face has a pair of holes, or
dimples, lined up with temperature sensors.
The sensors indirectly detect infrared
radiation due to its heating effect on the
skin inside the dimple. They can figure out
which part of the dimple is warmest, and
thus the direction of the heat source, which
could be a warm-blooded prey animal. By
combining the information from both
dimples, the snake can also estimate the
distance to the object.
 Bats, butterflies and troides rhadamathus
• Azara's true vampire (common vampire bat) has specialized infrared sensors in its nasal
leaf. Vampire bats are the only mammals that feed exclusively on blood. The infrared
sense allows the Desmodus to locate homeothermic (warm-blooded) animals (cattle,
horses, wild mammals) in a range of about 10-15 cm. This infrared perception is likely
used to detect regions with the highest blood flow in the target prey. Killed by forest
fires.

• The dark, pigmented butterflies Pachliopta aristolochiae and Troides rhadamathus use
specialized heat detectors to prevent damage while basking. Bloodsucking hemiptera
Triatoma infestans may also have a specialized heat-receiving organ.