Does a snake use its eyes more or heat sensing?

[Medusa]

We just fed all our snakes tonight (whew - all night affair). Medusa the biggest is the one we found abandoned in the street 4 years ago. She still has scars that had to come from rats. So its been no surprise that she won't go near a rat. We'd been feeding her mice instead. Ever since we've had her she misses a lot (at least half the time if not more) when striking. It had gotten so she prefered it if I hung the mouse by the tail right in from of her face. I have no problem helping her eat - love that girl. But now she even misses when the mouse is right in front of her. It makes us wonder it she's blind or pretty near to it. How much do they depend on their eyes? Has anyone else had this problem? And yes, we still feed them live; can't get those balls to eat pre-killed.

[The Snake Guru]

Depends a lot on the species.....but in BPs Heat plays a major role in finding prey....feeding live it shouldn't be a problem.....so I attribute the "missing" to being over excited.

BPs aren't the most accurite snakes in the world...LOL

~B~

[danthony428]

lol, it seems like bps are goofy little snakes, and i want one, lol

[NorthernRegius.com]

From what I see with my collection BPs have difficulty finding the prey if it doesn't have a good heat signature. I feed mostly FT & if the item isn't warm enough, they don't do well. Now the Retics- they seem to see the shape, confirm smell & go... less about the heat with them.

[APBTOwner]

From what I see with my collection BPs have difficulty finding the prey if it doesn't have a good heat signature. I feed mostly FT & if the item isn't warm enough, they don't do well. Now the Retics- they seem to see the shape, confirm smell & go... less about the heat with them.

I agree with this 100%.

[ffollett]

We have a partially blind male that came in as a rescue. He never misses when he strikes. So I am sure their heat pits play a big role.

[TailsWithScales]

It's been scientifically proven that snakes do not need their eyes to find prey. Their tongues and heat pits make up for if the animal is blind or has poor vision.

I guess maybe he's just a poor shot. I have had several BP's who couldnt hit the broad side of a barn when feeding. lol

[Medusa]

Thanks all!

[hex a holik]

i have a big female bp that misses more than half the time even if we hang it infront of her. i agree w/ just being over excited. she misses her rats but not my hand. lol

[mcem]

I've helped with a viper strike study and it amazed me at how often they missed. In real time, it appeared they were always right on. But with the strike slowed down, more often than not the snake missed and made a correction which could not be seen without the camera. Sorry a bit off topic.

Anyways, I think heat plays an important role with all snakes that have heat pits.