Eyesight a problem for snakes?

[touchofgold]

My female Albino Darwin has always been excessively snappy, not only when I remove her from her enclosure but while she's inside as well. Does anyone know how much a snake relies on it's eyesight and if there was a problem with it's vision, how would you know? She has no problem striking her food or making her way around the enclosure, and seems to be able to detect someone when they are quite near to the enclosure, as she quickly assumes the strike pose! Maybe she's just bad tempered?!? Any anti-feisty advice also welcome!

 

[junglepython2]

Albino snakes would have altered vision compared to normal snakes, but in a cage where food is served on a platter and there are no predators it won't make a difference.

 

[haymista]

I have a stimmie with damaged spectacles. She is easily able to detect hot food but other than that has pretty bad eyesight. Whenever i open the clickclack she'll strike at anything except for my hand the vertical scratches are pretty noticable though, does ur snakes eyes look ok?

 

[touchofgold]

I have a stimmie with damaged spectacles. She is easily able to detect hot food but other than that has pretty bad eyesight. Whenever i open the clickclack she'll strike at anything except for my hand the vertical scratches are pretty noticable though, does ur snakes eyes look ok?

Yes they look normal in comparison to the male, although her pupils are much more reactive to light changes than his

 

[gpoleweski]

I thought snakes in general weren't all the best with eyesight which is why they rely on other things such a heat pits above the mouth(I tink) and vibrations.

 

[Zoltag]

That depends on the species of snake...Some snakes have been shown to have very good eyesight and in fact rely on eyesight to catch their prey (ie, whipsnakes), yet others have essentially no eyes and therefore a related lack of vision (such as blindsnakes)...

I havent yet found any studies conducted on the various Aussie pythons, but would expect such studies would find that they can see fairly well (based on how large their eyes are and how well developed they are when a hatchling comes out of its egg)...If anyone can point me in the direction of any such papers, I would be very appreciative

In relation to heatpits, scientists have shown that light sensitive pits (as can be found on cuttlefish) are actually very rudimentary eyes - I expect heatpits would essentially be infrared versions of primitive eyes (a simple video can be found here - [video=youtube;Yj_lNQerUJ4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj_lNQerUJ4[/video])

As for your albino, touchofgold, it sounds like her eyes are fine and she may just be a snappy animal (unless she was fine before and has only recently become snappy, in which case she may be sick)

 

[junglepython2]

Here you go Zoltag, not on aussie pythons but I imagine they would be very similar.....

http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/reprint/202/14/1931

 

[haymista]

Interestiing video zoltag btw touchofgold my jungles which have perfect eyesight are very snappy and will try to tag me even through the plastic, its why i love em

 

[Zoltag]

Thanks, Junglepython2 - There seems to be mention of Diamond Pythons in that article too - Will have a read of it this weekend probably

 

[touchofgold]

Thanks for your replies guys, interesting video zoltag! I'm sure she is just the fiesty type and although she treats me with utter distaste I guess I will always have a healthy respect for the 'real' snake