Science Photo of the Day
I got this shot in the Everglades. The gator was too close for my zoom, so I had to switch to the closeup lens. That let me catch all of the tiny bumps on its face. What are they?
Excellent job! The tiny bumps are pressure sensors that are delicate enough to detect even very tiny changes in pressure. That lets the alligator sense motion in the water, even if it can't see, allowing it to hunt in murky, muddy swamps. That also allows it to watch for prey above the water, while detecting the movement of fish, turtles, etc. under the water at the same time.
Gator Bumps
These bumps are a highly sensitive system designed to help the animal eat and know what is going on around it.
The bumps are connected to a nerve called trigeminal nerve. That nerve stimulates the skin and muscles of the face. Those sensors detect any change in the water of the pond. When you put your finger in the water the ripples you make activate the sensors on the gator's jaw and the gator comes to see what caused the ripples.
Did you know that when you cover the sensors with a insulating material, and then cause ripples in the water, the gator will not response.
EJ
mystery bumps
The bumps connected to nerves that control the skin and muscles of the face.?
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