Snake Vision Simulation

[Mendel's Balls]

This downloadable program requires a webcam and it is suppose to simulate a snake's vision.

http://www.cognaxon.com/index.php?page=educational

[Jerhart]

Ha...sounds like a lot of work for an image!

Does anyone have any screenshots of what it looks like after the download/webcam dance.

I am a bit lazy.

[Mendel's Balls]

Ha...sounds like a lot of work for an image!

Does anyone have any screenshots of what it looks like after the download/webcam dance.

I am a bit lazy.

There are some moving hand screenshots on the link page posted above.

Unfortunately, my webcam is not compatible with Windows Vista (no updated drives ). It might be interesting to see how computer simulated snake eyes "see" another moving snake or a "dancing" thawed rodent from a pair of forceps. Maybe someone else can test these ideas.....In the meantime, I hoping I can get some updated drivers soon.

[Qetu]

agh! i dont have a webcam! lol pics!

[th3jok3r]

i get home @ 6am eastern time will post up pics wen i can!!

[Mendel's Balls]

agh! i dont have a webcam! lol pics!

I feel your pain....lol.

i get home @ 6am eastern time will post up pics wen i can!!

Very Cool, Looking forward to it; Th3jok3r to the rescue!

[Mendel's Balls]

Interestingly, this month's Photo of the Month Theme is Black and White Pictures.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Alas, I think it's far too simplistic, and a bit flawed. It doesn't specify which snake...different species actually have different eye structures! It's only in black and white--snakes don't see in black and white, in fact no animal actually does. Snakes do not see some of the colors we see, but they do see colors that we cannot!
For example, ball pythons as we know have fairly poor vision. It is easier for them to detect motion, yes. But while they only see about 2 colors that we see, they can also see ultraviolet, and their heat pits detect infrared. This gives them eyesight that no computer program is going to duplicate...we can't see ultraviolet, or infrared. We have absolutely no idea what the world looks like with ultraviolet added to the visual spectrum.

Some reptiles (including some snakes) not only see all of the colors we see, but also UV on top of that. Yet their overall vision is relatively poor. It's impossible to really imagine, or synthesize. The only thing we can do is use a color we can see to represent the UV, and say that's it...but it's not, really.

But obviously there is a vast difference between the vision of a ball python, who can hardly see something moving a foot away, and a garter snake, who will interestedly watch your every move from across the room.

[RebelYell83]

i wonder how anyone,can honestly determine what any snake or any other can see,,,as we have no way of seeing through their eyes,how is this decided?

[Mendel's Balls]

Alas, I think it's far too simplistic, and a bit flawed. It doesn't specify which snake...different species actually have different eye structures! It's only in black and white--snakes don't see in black and white, in fact no animal actually does. Snakes do not see some of the colors we see, but they do see colors that we cannot!
For example, ball pythons as we know have fairly poor vision. It is easier for them to detect motion, yes. But while they only see about 2 colors that we see, they can also see ultraviolet, and their heat pits detect infrared. This gives them eyesight that no computer program is going to duplicate...we can't see ultraviolet, or infrared. We have absolutely no idea what the world looks like with ultraviolet added to the visual spectrum.

Some reptiles (including some snakes) not only see all of the colors we see, but also UV on top of that. Yet their overall vision is relatively poor. It's impossible to really imagine, or synthesize. The only thing we can do is use a color we can see to represent the UV, and say that's it...but it's not, really.

But obviously there is a vast difference between the vision of a ball python, who can hardly see something moving a foot away, and a garter snake, who will interestedly watch your every move from across the room.

All very true......still a simple model can be better than no model.

About the UV simulation you would have to know whether the material the snake eyes are viewing reflects UV light. Supposedly crystals in urine reflect UV light.

The illumination source also makes a difference. See this article on Metamerism.