B4 BIOLOGY: PIT ADDERS

PIT ADDERS

(All photos collected from google)

Pit address commonly known as pit vipers, group of snakes includes some of the most beautiful and most venomous and dangerous snake species in the world.

They are distinguished by the presence of a heat-sensing pit organ located between the eye and the nostril on both sides of the head. A deep pit, or fossa, in the loreal area between the eye and the nostril on either side of the head. These loreal pits are the external openings to a pair of extremely sensitive infrared-detecting organs, which in effect give the snakes a sixth sense to help them find and perhaps even judge the size of the small, warm-blooded prey on which they feed.

When prey comes into range, infrared radiation falling onto the membrane allows the snake to determine its direction. The paired pit organs provide the snake with thermal rangefinder capabilities. These organs are of great value to a predator that hunts at night, as well as for avoiding the snake’s own predators.

DIET

Diet consists mainly of small mammals, such as mice, rats, voles, and shrews, as well as lizards. Sometimes, slow worms are taken, and even weasels and moles. They feed on amphibians, such as frogs, newts, and salamanders. Birds are also reported to be consumed, especially nestlings and even eggs, for which they will climb into shrubbery and bushes. Generally, diet varies depending on locality.

LIFESPAN

It is difficult to calculate the average lifespan of a pit viper in the wild but it is likely to be shorter than that of one in captivity due to factors such as disease, predation and hunger.