Pit vipers’ night vision explained

Study finds protein responsible for sensing heat from prey

The molecule that lets snakes sense heat is the same one that makes wasabi feel fiery.

SSSSSEEMS DELICIOUS Scientists have nabbed the protein that lets snakes “see” heat from their prey, almost like an infrared image (shown). Julius Lab, UCSF

Scientists have known for decades that some snakes use specialized holes called pit organs to “see” the heat radiating from prey.