snakes eyes

Lisa · #1 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 11:42 AM

I think that one of the main reasons why I was attracted to buying the boa constrictor as a pet was its beautiful slit eyes......as opposed to the lovely pythons I was also interested in which had round pupils.

I think my baby boa's head remind's me of a greyhounds head.......when I look at him he reminds me of the alien on that old film "the thing" [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Can any of you snake experts tell me though........whats the difference...why do some snakes, and other creatures have slit eyes like that, while other types don't. There must be a reason for it [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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bensnacks · #2 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 12:01 PM

Are you sure it wasn't just the
light level giving your pythons
round pupils. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] ???
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najaboy · #3 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 01:09 PM

For the most part, pythons also have vertically constricted pupils, so I'm a bit perplexed as to which snake you had seen that had dialated eyes.

In a nutshell, the pupils are adaptation to the snake's primary period of activity. Boas & pythons, for instance, are primarily nocturnal snakes. During the day, their pupils constrict to let less light in. Corn snakes, on the other hand, are diurnal/crepuscular, so they have little use for better vision at night.
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Lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 01:53 PM

ok....you must be right but I always seemed to have the idea that pythons had big brown round pupils.....I'll have a much closer look next time I see one, but the boa's eyes really stand out don't you think....very piercing.
I had an idea that it would have someting to do with them being nocturnal, but not all creatures that are nocturnal have slit eyes so thought perhaps there might be more to it than that.
Is it true that the snake has clear skin which goes over the eyes to protect them which comes off when it sheds its skin? Do they ever have problems with their eyes, and if a snake is nocturnal, is it ok if I keep its vivarium lit constantly day and night, its just at the moment my baby boa's vivarium gets too cold when I turn the heat lamp off.
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Relayer · #5 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 02:02 PM

A proper heat lamp shouldn't emit light that a snake can see. 12 hours of light and 12 of dark is a good basis to go by. No ots not a good idea to keep the vivarium lighted all the time with a regular bulb. I use a bulb called Redheat which emits no visible light to the snake. I will go to ceramic when he gets into a larger cage.
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Lisa · #6 (**permalink**) 04-18-2002, 02:56 PM

I've got the special bulbs for use with reptiles, which are tinted purple but I don't know if it emits light that the snake can see or not, it doesn't say on the box or anything. I think I'm going to have to get a better heat mat soon with a thermostat so that I can regulate the temperatures more constantly.
My snakes eyes always have very thin slits so that makes me think that his vivarium might be too bright. There's a nice dark scene on the back, but the sides of the viv are white so I'm thinking about getting some more of that dark picture on a roll stuff to put on the sides . I think it might make him feel more at ease but what do I know. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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Constrictor_BO · #7 (**permalink**) 04-19-2002, 09:50 AM

You can use the black light without any problems to the snake. I use black lights 24/7 on my tanks and use regu;ar light for daytime.

Lisa. you said you use the special bulbs for yur reptiles. Is it the incandescent light that is made specially for reptiles? the ones that cost around $8 to $10 at the petstores.... Forget those things. Go to Lowes hardware and get you some regular black lights for $3. They are the same thing, they just dont have the picture of reptiles on the box.
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Dr.Oviparous · #8 (**permalink**) 04-19-2002, 10:12 AM

BO, are you talkin reptile specific black lights, or like "spencer's" poster style black lights? I thought real black lights were really hard on snakes eyes [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] , I know they hurt mine if I stare at one for too long!
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Constrictor_BO · #9 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 05:08 AM

I use the regular black lights. As far as I know there is nothing special about them except just being a black light. I have been using them for quite some time now and they never seem to bother the snakes. I presume you mean by "being harmful" you are talking about emitting UV. These light say nothing on them about emitting UV so as far as I can tell they are ok to use.

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Dr.Oviparous · #10 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 09:51 AM

I don't know about UV, I just remember reading a post a little while back that people were sayin somthing about regular black lights being bad for snakes eyes, I don't know for sure [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] -Juggalo
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Lisa · #11 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 12:17 PM

The lights I have are called Replile brightlight. It says its incandescent full spectrum daylight heatlamp coated with rare earth neodium...whatever that is all about. The price was £6.94, although I didn't pay that because I bought these bulbs second hand from a neighbour who lives across the road from me....she has got a cornsnake and says that she is doing away with the heat lights altogether and just sticking to a heat mat alone. I think she said that most of the snake shop owners where she goes to buy her pinkies have more or less said that the heat lamps are not neccessary.
I must admit that the snake keeper who I bought my 2 snakes from also gave me this advice but said it was only ok while they were small and to get the heat lamp when the snakes were bigger.
I like to get as much info as possible though because even if the snake might be fine with just a heat mat, I feel like on colder days the poor things would have to stay curled up on the heat mat all the time and not be able to roam oround their tanks.

I'm still not happy with the set up I've got for my boa. I am so skint at the moment though that I can't afford to buy the ceramic mat and thermostats and all that. I went to the garden centre the other day and bought some wire mesh and got my fella to make a cage to put over the heat bulb. I saw these thermometers that not only show the temperature but record the highest and lowest temperatures reached so you can keep an eye on the temp drop during the night....I thought one of those would be a good idea but didn't get one....too skint .
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Dr.Oviparous · #12 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 12:37 PM

I personally use heatpads, and lights in all my enclosures. most people say that full spectrum is not nessasary with BCI/BCC, but I like the way it brightnes up the whole cage for better viewing, espesially at night. I use red heatlights, from the outside of my apartment every widow emmits redlights at night! -Juggalo
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Constrictor_BO · #13 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 04:25 AM

Lisa.. how you set up your tank is totally up to you. As far as heat lights go, it all depends on the room temp. If the room stays more on the cooler side then I would use the lights. If not then you can do what you want as long as the tank temps dont get too hot.
Personally, I use the black lights for heat. I know some who dont. Go with what you want.
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