Beyond the Five Senses

Beyond the Five Senses

Introduction Animals use senses to find food and stay out of danger. Our senses tell us what is happening with our bodies and in the world around us. You probably know about the five basic senses: hearing, sight, smell touch, and taste. Did you know that animals can also have many other senses? Some of these senses are common to most animals. Others are rare and amazing.

Body-Position Sense Without looking, do you know where your left foot is right now?You can answer this question because your brain senses where your body parts are. Without this sense, an animal would not be ableto move and do interesting things with its body

Pain Sense Pain might seem as though it's part of the sense of touch, but it isn't. People and other animals can feel pain even when nothing is touching them. Pain helps us by letting us know that we've been hurt. It can also warn us to stop or change what we are doing before we get hurt.

Sense of Balance Humans and many other animals have tubes inside their ears that give them a sense of balance. Other senses, such as sight and knowing where your body parts are, make balancing easier. That is why balancing is more difficult when your eyes are closed or your leg is" asleep. "

Temperature Sense Sensing hot and cold is important for many animals. Some bats and snakes have special heat sensors that can help them find prey. A rattlesnake can “ feel" the heat of a mouse's body from over a foot away