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Post by Tringa on Jan 5, 2024 15:31:14 GMT
We have foxes that visit the back garden. Last night on the trail camera one of the three visitors looked odd. It wasn't until another one appeared on a later video I realised why.
Unlike the second fox(and a third one later in the night) where their eyes glowed in the infra red light from the camera, the eyes of the first fox did not glow at all.
It seems very unlikely a blind fox could survive but I can't think of a reason why its eyes would not glow.
Does anyone one have any thoughts?
Thanks
Dave
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Post by Tringa on Jan 7, 2024 10:21:09 GMT
I've done a bit more reading about this.
I looks as if this fox doesn't have a tapetum. This is a reflective layer behind the retina. Light which passes through the retina is reflected back giving the animal slightly more sensitive sight and is the cause of many animals having eyes which 'glow' when light is shone at them.
Seems this fox isn't blind but perhaps doesn't see quite as well as others in the dark.
Dave
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Post by rowanberry on Jan 12, 2024 22:33:39 GMT
That does seem odd, Dave. I wonder if this means it's eyesight is really no better than a human's at night? I don't know how it would manage to hunt, but it might be able to get by just by scavenging.
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Post by Tringa on Jan 13, 2024 21:24:42 GMT
It seems to do pretty well.
It is an adult and looks in good condition - no sign of mange. There is plenty to scavenge around here.
Dave
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