The myth that cats see only shades of gray persists, but their vision is more nuanced than that.
Let’s explore how cats perceive the world and their unique visual abilities.
Trichromats Like Humans
Cats are also trichromats, but their color vision differs from ours.
They can see shades of blue and green but struggle with reds and pinks.
Reds may appear more green, and purple can resemble another shade of blue.
Limited Color Richness
Cats lack the same richness of hues and color saturation that humans enjoy.
Their world is less vibrant in terms of color.
Distance and Nearsightedness
Cats are believed to be nearsighted, making distant objects less clear.
However, their close-up vision is well-suited for hunting and capturing prey.
Superior Night Vision
Cats can’t see fine details or rich colors, but they excel in low light.
Their high number of rods (sensitive to dim light) allows them to see using minimal illumination.
The tapetum, a reflective structure behind their retina, enhances night vision by bouncing light back to the photoreceptors.
This tapetum effect is what makes cats’ eyes glow in the dark.
Appreciate the feline perspective—where night vision reigns supreme!
