tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35187314.post-2432038038863882672008-03-03T14:27:00.000-05:002008-03-03T14:27:00.000-05:002008-03-03T14:27:00.000-05:00Good question, amiya. <BR/><BR/>Snakes do have a lot going for them in the way of senses: remember that they also smell with their tongues, and this article from bnet says they can also SMELL IN STEREO!<BR/>(http://findarticles.com/p/articles/<BR/>mi_m0EPG/is_n2_v30/ai_17867815) Talk about extremely efficient products of nature. I will mention that from what I've found, only some snakes can "see" in infrared (mostly pit vipers, a few boas, and a few others), and the paper we discussed here on PhysicsBuzz only studied horn rimmed vipers. That being said, it may be that not all snakes have all of these advantages. Also, hearing in stereo is not uncommon in animals, it's just interesting that this particular way of hearing also offers that advantage.<BR/><BR/>Still, it brings up the interesting question of why these animals are so incredibly equipped. Why do snakes need these creative methods of sense rather than what most animals use? Do they have an unfair advantage, and why? But even snakes are at risk for extinction in many parts of the world due mostly to habitat destruction, and their numbers are often very difficult to track.Agent Utahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01241555892542544532noreply@blogger.com