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What organ does a snake pick up on its tongue and carry the slightest scent?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
The Jacobson's organ, or scientifically speaking, the Vomeronasal organ.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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What animals have the Jacobson's organ?
The Jacobson's Organ - is a sensitive 'pit' located in the roof of a reptiles mouth. When a reptile flicks out it's tongue, tiny scent particles stick to it - and are drawn back into the mouth. the tips of the tongue are placed into the Jacobson's Organ, and the reptile 'analyses' the scent. This organ is so sensitive - it can even distinguish if the scent on one side of the forked tongue is stronger than the other side !
Why snakes keep out their tongue?
Assuming you mean 'why do snakes flick out their tongue'... It's basically a sensory organ. The snake is 'tasting' the air. Each side of the the fork is independent from the other. When the snake flicks out its tongue, it collects microscopic scent particles from the air. Withdrawing the tongue into its mouth, there is a sensitive group of nerves in a 'pocket' where the snake inserts the tips. This translates the scent into messages for the snakes brain. The minuscule difference in strength of the scent on either side of the tongue enables the snake to follow the stronger scent to locate its prey.
Do snakes breath out of there tongue?
No - Snakes breath with their lungs - just as every other air-breathing animal does!
What is the purpose of the Jacobson's organ in snakes?
It's a 'sensory organ'. It basically takes the form of two 'pockets' in the roof of the snakes mouth. When the snake flicks out its tongue, microscopic scent particles stick to it. Withdrawing the tongue back into its mouth, the tips are inserted into the Jacobson's organ, and the snake's brain decodes the information.
How does snake smell?
A snake doesn't really 'smell' to say the least. They have a special organ in the nasal cavity of their skulls called the Jacobson's Organ. When they flick their tongue out, they use that organ to sense any nearby prey or threat. So in a sense, they 'smell' while they taste the air.
What are the uses of a lizard's tongue?
It depends on the species. Lizards use their tongue for smelling to aid it in finding food. When a lizard flicks its tongue, it is picking up odors. When its tongue returns to its mouth the scent passes by an organ called the Jacobson's organ. Tissues of the Jacobson's organ process the scents thus allowing the lizard to identify the substance or object. Most lizards use their tongue to drink water. Some will use their tongue to lick clean their "lips". The gecko uses its tongue to clean its eyes since it does not have eyelids. The chameleon uses its tongue to catch prey.
How do reptiles sense odors?
Most reptiles smell through their noses like we do, however snakes and some lizards also have a Jacobson's organ on the roof of the mouth. Reptiles gather scent particles on the tongue and flick them into this organ.
What invisible trail does a rattlesnake follow in tracking down its bitten prey?
It uses the scent trail to find the dead prey. The tongue of the snake picks up scent particles from the air or ground and transfers them to the Jacobson's organ in the roof of the mouth,
Do all snakes have forked tongues?
It's a 'direction finding tool'. Each half of the tongue is independent from the other. When scent particles from the air stick to the tongue, they are detected by the Jacobson's organ. If the strength of the scent is stronger on one side, the snake knows to go in that direction.
What do snakes use their tounges for?
The snake's tongue is a sensory organ. each time it's flicked out - it catches microscopic scent particles from the air. Each of the two 'forks' work independently - giving the snake a direction-finding tool. If the scent on one side of the tongue is stronger - the snake knows to go towards the strongest side. The intensity of scent on the tongue also provides an indication of how close the prey is (snakes are very short-sighted !)
Why do snakes have a toungh?
It's a 'sensory device'. While flicking the tongue out, microscopic scent particles from the snake's surroundings stick to it. The tongue is withdrawn into the mouth and the tips inserted into tiny holes - called 'Jacobson's organ'. Since the snake's eyesight is fairly poor - this can give a better 'picture' of what's around. It also enables the snake to track prey by scent !
What special sensory organ do cats have?
Scent Glands
