Question about snakes vision.

[craig.a.c]

I have read in books and seen on documentrys that the only snake able to see in 3D is the boomslang. Wouldn't they all have to be able to judge the distance to their prey when going to strike? If they can judge the distance/depth, that would mean that they can see in 3D right?

[NinaPeas]

Any animal with forward-facing eyes can judge distance and depth better than an animal with side-ways facing eyes. So I dont know how this applies to the snake. Don't they usually just go for movement? I have seen my snake strike many times at food and miss.

But you would think they might have some way to judge it.

that didn't help did it? hahaha

[ScottBec]

I think the majority of pythons at least, would use the heat as an extra 'marker' for they're prey...
maybe they'er a bit like horses and have a sence of debth at distance, but loose it when closer???

So they can see 3D in the red section, but not to the sides???

Just a guess guys - help me out here

[craig.a.c]

Thanks for that pic ScottBec. I have often looked at my python when they are watching me and thought that both their eyes looked forward.

[craig.a.c]

Does anyone have some ideas they can put forward.

[zen]

Some snakes will rock their head from side to side to help their depth perception.

[herptrader]

Vision is not your average pythons strongest faculty.

They are very accurate at sensing smell. Additionally because of their forked tongue combined with the Jacobson's organ they can use smell in much the same way as we use binocular vision.

Many pythons also have the heat sensing pits which are useful in locating warm blooded prey.

The combination of all these factors means they can accurately judge direction and distance. The superiority of smell and heat sensing over vision explains why a warm hand smelling of rodent is often mistaken for dinner.