Rapid Fire
Night Vision in Animals
- 21 Dec 2023
- 1 min read
Animals navigate darkness using a complex mix of eye structures and light-sensitive cells. Unlike humans, many animals can detect light waves that escape our notice.
- Among vertebrates, there are two key types of light-sensitive cells: rods and cones. Rods work great in low light (like night vision), while cones handle daylight and colors.
- Day-active creatures have more cone cells for sharper images but may struggle in dim light. Whereas, nocturnal animals mainly rely on rod cells in their retinas, packed with a light-sensitive pigment called rhodopsin. This pigment helps them see better in the dark by regenerating slowly when light is scarce.
