Radar guns, magnetic compasses, and infrared detectors are man-made inventions that allow humans to transcend the five natural senses of sight, taste, smell, feeling, and hearing. But these gadgets are far from original. Millions of years before humans evolved, some animals had these "extra" senses.
Infrared and UV Vision
Like most other vertebrates, rattlesnakes and other rattlesnakes use their eyes to see during the day. But at night, these reptiles use infrared sense organs to detect and hunt warm-blooded prey that would otherwise be completely invisible. These infrared "eyes" are cup-shaped structures that form a rough image when infrared radiation hits the heat-sensitive retina. Some animals, including hawks, hedgehogs and shrimps, can also see into the lower regions of the ultraviolet spectrum. Humans cannot see infrared or ultraviolet light with the naked eye.
Echolocation
Toothed whales (a family of marine mammals that includes dolphins), bats, and some shrews that live on the ground and in trees use echolocation to navigate their surroundings. The animals emit high-frequency sound pulses, either very high-pitched to the human ear or completely inaudible, and then detect the echoes produced by these sounds. Special ear and brain adaptations allow these animals to construct three-dimensional images of their surroundings. Bats, for example, have large ear flaps that collect sound and direct it to their thin, ultra-sensitive eardrums.
Inductor
The ubiquitous electric fields generated by some animals act like senses. Electric eels and some rays have modified muscle cells that generate an electrical charge strong enough to shock and sometimes kill their prey. Other fish, including many sharks, use weaker electric fields to help them navigate murky waters, track prey, or monitor their surroundings. For example, bony fish (and some frogs) have "lateral lines" on each side of their bodies, rows of sensory holes in their skin that detect electrical currents in the water.
Magnetic Sense
The flow of molten material in the Earth's core and the flow of ions in the Earth's atmosphere create the magnetic field that surrounds the Earth. Just as a compass points humans to the magnetic North Pole, animals with magnetic senses can orient themselves in specific directions and travel long distances. Behavioral studies have shown that animals as diverse as bees, sharks, turtles, rays, homing pigeons, migratory birds, tuna, and salmon have magnetic senses. Unfortunately, the details about how these animals actually sense the Earth's magnetic field are unclear. One clue might be the presence of small deposits of magnetite in the nervous systems of these animals. These magnet-like crystals align with the Earth's magnetic field and may function like miniature compass needles.
animal tags： senses
you may also like
In the morning, the science popularization staff of Banna Botanical Garden discovered that the grass in the middle of the pool in front of the museum was shaking. When they approached the edge of the pool, they found a big bamboo rat hiding in the grass, staring around with frightened little...
In Antarctica, the most impressive animal is naturally the penguin. In the Arctic, it is not the polar bears that are awe-inspiring, but the Arctic terns. Although penguins are friendly and naive, they look a little silly; while arctic terns, although small and exquisite, are strong and power...
Hominoidea, a fascinating group of primates encompassing great apes, lesser apes, and humans, represents a pinnacle of evolutionary adaptation and complexity. This article dives into the taxonomy, evolutionary history, unique physical traits, behavioral characteristics, and ecological significance o...
"The big rat, the big rat, has no food for me!... The dying woman is suitable for that paradise.""The rats in the official warehouse are as big as a bucket, and they won't leave even when someone opens a warehouse."These verses were all used by the ancients to ridicule corrup...
Recently, a blogger published a travel diary of Linghu Park in Anqing City, Anhui Province, saying that when he visited the Anqing Zoo in the park, he found that the zoo's two-climbing aquarium had a sign introducing "new animals" - one of the animals. It's a nine-pound rat....
Whether the Bitcoin cryptocurrency rises or falls in value, its legacy will now live on forever in the form of a newly described Bitcoin fly called Chrysosoma from Papua New Guinea. This previously unknown fly, which hails from the rainforest-covered mountains of Papua Ne...
Wolves are fascinating creatures that have captivated human imagination for centuries. As apex predators, they are known for their intelligence, strength, and complex social structures. The wolf family includes a wide range of species and breeds, each with its unique traits and characteristics. This...
In cultures and legends around the world, some animals are given ominous symbols and are often associated with negative meanings such as death, misfortune, and evil. These animals are not harmful in themselves, but due to ancient beliefs, legends, or superstitions, people believe that their appearan...
Email: jsset#163.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit! Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese
