Juvenile Naja annulifera

[Chris89]

We found this little guy on his way into the workshop last week. TL. approximately 700mm. Very docile individual that refused to rear or strike. Was released in a safe area nearby. The left eye looks damaged. The eye scale was shed but incompletely, leaving a ring of dead skin around the eye. Left eye is opaque brown as apposed to jet black on the right. Is this common?






Cheers

[Fooble]

That eye is normally associated with an Retained eye cap.
If only you'd known and could have assisted in the removal of it im sure he'd be quite appreciative.

Nice images.

[Shaun P]

Nice Pics!

[Chris89]

Thanks fooble and shaun
Would that affect his vision somewhat? This was not a captive snake and i'm certainly not qualified for surgery on the sharp end of cobras. would be nice to help the little guy out for sure but then, if your not responsible for the problem, should you intervene? Nature takes it's course. An ethical issue perhaps? Have i opened a can of worms?

[Fooble]

Chris true i would say. For retained eye caps usually a small "glop" of prestik pushed against the eye would remove it without too much stress to the snake.

It's vision would be slightly affected as if it was shedding permanently.

I for one when im out in the field normally give a hand when necessary others choose not to all personal preference really.

[Bushviper]

If the snake gets into a very moist environment before hs next shedding he might shed both caps at the same time. Chris if you can get these cases to Pretoria in future I can help you remove the eye cap and then you can drop him off again.