Binky has been here for 3 weeks now. The first time I saw it, it scared the bejeebers out of me!!!! In 48 years of having pigs, I never saw such an outspoken eye movement.
Piggies have binocular vision, their eyes are on the sides of their heads, giving them the opportunity to have a wider view, as prey animals, to be able to hide at the first sign of danger. This means they can combine both separate views, or focus on one view, using their favorite eye. Usually it's the right eye, but I had a few left eyed pigs.
Binky can move both eyes separately. He uses his right eye to focus, and moves it in any direction to look at something, whilst his left eye just stays put. When he doesn't focus, both eyes move in the same direction.
The first time that I picked him up to give him a kiss, by talking to him gently first, my jaw was on the floor!!! His right eye checked out my face all over, his left didn't move. He now does that each time I snuggle him. It was a bit creepy at first, but as soon as he spots my smile, he often smiles back, so it's cuuuuute. Yes, he's the 3rd smiling pig I ever had, in 48 years, as Kooky did too, and Plucky still does.
I would need a warped wide screen camera to put this on vid, it doesn't exist, to show this eye movement.
Did any of you ever notice this so obviously?
Chameleon like eye movement
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pigjes
- Cavy Comic
Just noticed something else. Binky can also fully close one eye. I grabbed him for lap time, and hub said that he had his eyes closed, yet the one looking at me was open. We noticed that Plucky can do this partially too. I wonder if this is meant to focus even better on one eye's vision?
One of my pigs keeps one eye open and one closed when she sleeps sometimes. I've noticed the open one is always looking towards my door though. I think the eye closing depends on your pig, but as for separately moving his eyes, that sounds very unique!!! I'd love a chance to see a pig do that. It's so cool some of the things these amazing animals surprise us with
SHOP AMAZON