Can anyone explain this?

trailblazer295 · 03-30-16, 04:42 PM

So a question that's bugged me for awhile. Hopefully someone can give a scientific reason behind it.

We all know reptiles thermoregulate by moving from hot to warm areas to maintain body temperature. We know the dangers of having unregulated heating devices as some can get very hot. What I don't understand is how an animal can sense it's too warm or to cold and move accordingly and feel a light touch on their skin but will sit in one spot on a hot object for a slow burn? I don't mean objects hot enough to burn instantly that's different. But how can they sit there to the point their body is damaged?

Any scientific reason to explain?

KrokadilyanGuy3 · 03-30-16, 05:56 PM

Simply put, the animal can tell when it's core temp is too hot or too cold, just like us. Our body naturally kicks in when we hit an extreme such as shaking to stay warm or sweating to stay cool. We can still tell that we are cold and will often seek warmer temps. The same goes for ectoterms except they obviously can not control their temps. (For the most part, species pending)

The reason why they burn on things like a heat rock is because most reptiles do not have nerve endings that reach the skin or the nerves are highly reduced. We generally do. By the time the animal feels the affect the damage has already happened.
Kind of like when you learned about fire safety and how to check if a door knob is hot. You use the back of your hand because it has more nerves and is more sensitive to reactions versus the palms that are less sensitive and will likely cause burns before you're able to react.

In a nut shell.

trailblazer295 · 03-30-16, 06:01 PM

I never heard the back of the hand method but I've touched things with my hand and evaded damage.

Thanks for the explanation but how do they feel me gently touch with the pad of my finger if they don't have the nerves? It's a very light touch but they still can feel it.

KrokadilyanGuy3 · 03-30-16, 06:29 PM

Yeah, I've touched a hot pan or oven to see if it was hot without issue normally but that was the reason I was taught.

They can still feel pressure. What you think is a very soft touch it is still providing enough pressure to cause a trigger within the nerves. The nerves still come fairly close and will still sense physical stimulus as well as surrounding air pressure change.

Heat kind of sneaks up on you, and when your nerves are literally just beyond the surface it sometimes takes longer before you react. Also, the distance on some reptiles' nerve endings will vary (be it the depth of endings or the quanity of nerves). Some animals which live in very harsh and rough environments will have a tougher/thicker skin like savannah monitors and leopard geckos, which will cause the endings to be a little further away. Living in tough environments and crawling/slithering around on rough surfaces, it wouldn't make any sense to have nerve endings close to where the animal would be in consistant discomfort.

trailblazer295 · 03-30-16, 06:31 PM

That makes a lot of sense, thanks for the clarification.

**Minkness** · 03-30-16, 06:39 PM

Good read. Thanks!

Zelg · 04-03-16, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrokadilyanGuy3

Simply put, the animal can tell when it's core temp is too hot or too cold, just like us. Our body naturally kicks in when we hit an extreme such as shaking to stay warm or sweating to stay cool. We can still tell that we are cold and will often seek warmer temps. The same goes for ectoterms except they obviously can not control their temps. (For the most part, species pending)

The reason why they burn on things like a heat rock is because most reptiles do not have nerve endings that reach the skin or the nerves are highly reduced. We generally do. By the time the animal feels the affect the damage has already happened.
Kind of like when you learned about fire safety and how to check if a door knob is hot. You use the back of your hand because it has more nerves and is more sensitive to reactions versus the palms that are less sensitive and will likely cause burns before you're able to react.

In a nut shell.

I just want to add something about using the back of your hand. I was taught not to touch anything hot with the back of your hand as you'll likely get a worse burn it if it is in fact hot. Hovering the back of your hand over the heat/object is a better method. You're more likely to get a much worse burn if you actually make contact with the back of your hand. Otherwise, spot on.

Of course I would never just grab a doorknob in the event of a fire. Maybe quickly slap it lol. A quick slap or touch will be unlikely to leave you with a burn than making an extended contact with it. If you just reach in and grab something you'll have a terrible burn before you even realize you've been burned.

macandchz · 04-04-16, 11:35 AM

we were taught in nursing school to check the temperature of a baby's bath water with the inside of our wrist.

KrokadilyanGuy3 · 04-04-16, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelg

I just want to add something about using the back of your hand. I was taught not to touch anything hot with the back of your hand as you'll likely get a worse burn it if it is in fact hot. Hovering the back of your hand over the heat/object is a better method. You're more likely to get a much worse burn if you actually make contact with the back of your hand. Otherwise, spot on.

Of course I would never just grab a doorknob in the event of a fire. Maybe quickly slap it lol. A quick slap or touch will be unlikely to leave you with a burn than making an extended contact with it. If you just reach in and grab something you'll have a terrible burn before you even realize you've been burned.

That's correct, its been so long lol.
Yeah, I typically don't grab things I expect to be hot either. Do more of the scared slapping move lol.