China
Navigation:
 
 


 
 
 
Huber Worldwide
Country: Germany
Distributor: Huber
MyHuber
Create your own navigation!

425°C 400°C 350°C 300°C 250°C 200°C 150°C 100°C 50°C -10°C -20°C -30°C -40°C -50°C -60°C -70°C -80°C -90°C -100°C -110°C -120°C

The 7th sence

A heat-locating specialist from nature sets standards in matters of precision for detecting the smallest temperature differences.

See, but not be seen: This could be the motto of various snake species. The fact that most snake species are very difficult to detect in their natural environments thanks to their camouflaging scales is something that we already know from visits to zoos. But how these scaled reptiles perceive their environment remains a puzzle for many.

The perception processes of snakes extend beyond customary senses. Namely, snakes "see" not just with their eyes. With help of both tips of their split tongues, they can perceive two different scents at the same time and create spatial pictures from them (nasovomeral sense). In addition, a few snake species have developed sensory organs for detecting heat. In the family of vipers, pit organs have developed in individual cases. There is a pit between nose and eyes, which is what gives the sub­family of pit vipers (Crotalinae) its name. There is a thin, sensory membrane in the pit organ, via which the snakes can detect the smallest temperature differences down to 0.003 °C. A similar organ, which is not quite as developed, has been developed by the family of boa constrictors – labial pits – which are in rows of scales along the lips. This organ makes is possible for boa constrictors to detect temperature differences down to 0.026 °C.

The additional seventh sense for precise detection of the smallest temperature differences makes snakes excellent hunters. The camouflage of their prey becomes irrelevant due to the pit organ or labial pit. Independent of ambient light and time of day, they can track down prey, whose body heat is higher or lower than the ambient temperature. A heat image is created due to the temperature difference between environment and prey. As a result, snakes can "see" perfectly, even in complete darkness.

These sensory organs are not helpful in locating prey, who adjust their body heat to the ambient temperature. Because such organisms are "invisible" to the heat image of the snake, the reptile has to use its nasovomeral sense and eyes. With help of their multifaceted sensory organs, snakes can adapt to almost every hunting situation and catch their prey almost effortlessly.

What serves for scaled reptiles for easy trapping of their prey represents the basis for a high degree of process stability in refrigerating engineering. Huber detects the smallest temperature differences and adjusts them reliably and stably for processes.