Discover the Secrets Behind Cats' Glowing Eyes

Poets often describe cats' eyes as gleaming gold in the night, and it's no secret that our feline friends can see better in the dark than humans. Have you ever caught a glimpse of a cat's eyes at night, shining like car headlights? This captivating phenomenon is due to the tapetum lucidum.

Understanding the Tapetum Lucidum

The tapetum lucidum, which translates to "shiny carpet," is a thin membrane situated behind the retina. This feature is absent in humans but shared by many animals, including cats and dogs. Veterinarians explain that the tapetum lucidum's primary purpose is to "amplify and reflect environmental light onto the retina, allowing photoreceptors to absorb twice as much light as they normally would." Consequently, the rods (receptors on the retina's surface) enable cats to see six to eight times better in the dark than humans.

Cats' tapetum lucidum allows them to see more effectively at dusk and in low light, but not in complete darkness. With this feature, cats can see in conditions with five times less light than their human companions. However, this reflective membrane also has its drawbacks. While it helps felines adapt to low light, their perception of details is reduced in bright light. Nevertheless, for a crepuscular animal like a cat, this limitation isn't a significant issue.

Why Cats Excel in Night Vision

So, why do cats possess such exceptional night vision? Experts believe the answer lies in their evolutionary history. As crepuscular creatures, cats are accustomed to being active and hunting at night. Enhanced vision enables them to detect movements with greater accuracy and evade potential attacks from other predators using their keen senses.