“You sweet little faker… you’re not sleeping. I see you peeking with those cute little eyelids, Murph!”
I found some neat information, but it’s not what I set out to find! I cannot find that which I seek. I’ve searched the web, referenced my manual… I was trying to discover what, if anything, is called the characteristic found in reptiles & other animals, when in closing their eyes, the muscles relax and raise the lower eyelid to meet the upper (the opposite of ours). If anyone happens to know, will you please let me know?! 🙂 Thanks!
In my futile quest, I found this instead. Check it out.
If you’ve looked at a lizard at just the exact second, you may have seen a blink happen with a skin you never knew was there. Likewise, you may have noticed what appears to be excess skin in the corners of dogs’ eyes, especially upon waking – when their eyes appear droopy. Many of us have seen sharks blink with a translucent eyelid-type thing.
Have you ever wondered, “What is this odd thing tucked so well behind the flesh, nearly always unobserved on these beautiful faces?” It’s a nictitating membrane. It protects the eyeballs from potential damage. Many animals share this attribute and you can learn about it here: https://animals.mom.me/animal-three-eyelids-1300.html
On the subject of nictitating membranes, this link was interesting in regards to our dogs’ eyes: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/structure-of-the-canine-eye/
If you are a reptile Mommy, Daddy, or caring family member to a reptile, I found this link which may be helpful if ocular trouble arises: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptilian-Opthalmology–A-Window-To-Reptile-Health/
Okay… my curiosity takes me far, I want to share this last bit of the awesomeness of eyes with you! It’s 32 fun-fact sentences about the eyes of different creatures! https://discoveryeye.org/32-facts-about-animal-eyes/
Why are things so much cuter on animals… the fat, the skin folds, the double chins…. ?
Well, now I realize that I think all their eyelids are pretty darn cute too!!
Lizard Planet 