Vine snake back lit with torch, Agumbe, Karnataka, India. Wildlife photograph by dhruv shilpi, finalist in the Shoot The Frame Wildlife photography award, October 2023

Finalist Wildlife · October 2023

Vine snake back lit with torch

This Picture was taken at Agumbe Rain Forest in karnataka-India Vine snake back lit with torch yellow eye glowingOpens in a new window Vine snake back lit with torch yellow eye glowing When a vine snake is back lit with a torch, its yellow eyes will glow due to a phenomenon called tapetum lucidum. The tapetum lucidum is a reflective layer of tissue in the eye that helps to improve vision in low light conditions. When light hits the tapetum lucidum, it is reflected back through the retina, which gives the eyes a glowing appearance. The glowing eyes of a vine snake can be quite striking, and they often serve to deter predators. However, they can also be mesmerizing to humans, and they are a popular subject for wildlife photography.