Eyes turning black

So I noticed that my boas eyes turn black around feeding time. Is that a thing? Because every time I try to look it up I always get some dumbass link taking me through the shedding process when I know for a fact it's not that. If anyone could explain why this happens that'd be cool since I can't seem to find any information about it anywhere.

Perhaps what you are seeing is the pupil extremely dilated?
I've never seen a boa's eye change color, seen them appear different depending on the angle and pupil dilation though.

His eyes are wide open when he looks like that, they have no eyelids and that’s how they control the amount of light they let in. His eyes get like that because you’re exciting his feed response. Someone else might be able to explain it more “elegantly”, but yes and it happens to almost all snakes that I know of. It can help determine the mood and actions of the snake also. If the eyes look like a fine hair, they’re relaxed or possibly sleeping. Eyes almost completely black, they are definitely paying attention. Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Perhaps what you are seeing is the pupil extremely dilated?
I've never seen a boa's eye change color, seen them appear different depending on the angle and pupil dilation though.

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Excactly what I’m referring to.

It's not that either. When I say it goes black, I mean it goes BLACK. It's almost as if her eyes are slowly filling up with a jet black liquid and as soon as she eats it goes away. It's not a liquid (I'm pretty sure) but that's just what it looks like. I'd post a picture but I'm just a lowly pesant on this site so it won't let me.

The mood thing makes sense but it's weird how it happens. It's like someone's pouring oil into a glass and it's just slowly filling up.

If you can catch it on video or photos, that would be helpful. (been keeping boas for 20 years and have never seen this)

Pupils dilated...normal hunting & feeding response to better see & catch prey. :snake:

I think it could be the full dilation as already been discussed in food response mode one of my boas has jet black eyes anyway so hard to tell on her food response

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Yeah they're dilated but there's markings on her eyes that make it look way more exaggerated