Even in the dark, most of us can still see. Well, we can see up to a point. Animals, on the other hand, are able to see a lot more detail in low-light or no-light situations than us and the following clarifies some factors, both biological and environmental, that make this doable.
Superior than before Human Vision
We have two ranges that we incorporate to intensify our night vision they are known as the spectral range and infrared range. When we use our spectral range it allows us to take benefit of what is normally hidden to the naked eye. We can see into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum’s with the aid of such products as night vision specs and binoculars. Unique infrared optics in digital camera’s also allow us to see within the infrared spectrum and can be used in thermal imaging as well.
Biological Human Vision
As humans we have three types of vision that we naturally use in order to be able to see within any lighting situation, they are known as photopic, mesopic and scotopic. We see over a range of several million to one and with the photopic vision we see the peak light levels and this is what we use in the daytime. Scotopic works in extremely low light situations while our mesopic vision is what we use in low-light when no detail can be seen. When human eyesight goes from bright to dark, or dark to light it can take up to forty-five minutes for the eye’s to adjust by the book, but with animals it happens immediately.
Tapetum Lucidum
A number of vertebrate animals rely on a layer of tissue called the tapetum lucidum located behind or within their retinas. There are four types of tapetum lucidum found in the diversity of animals on the planet. This masterpiece of nature allows the light to be refracted back into the retina, allowing animals to have superior than before vision which enables them to see in the dark. This happens straight away for them. The eyeshine you see in animals like cats, dogs, deer when light hits their eyes in the dark is a result of the tapetum lucidum. The eyeshine can occur in uncommon colors like red, green or blue, depending on the animal.
Biological Animal Vision
These are a few examples of how uncommon animals can see in the dark.
Pit Vipers, and many other snakes, find their prey at night by smell and tasting the air and the use of deep pits on the side of their head that help them detect heat as a form of thermal vision.
Fruit Bats have a folded retina that they use in conjunction with sonar allowing them to navigate and find food in the dark.
Owls have the ability to see small animals at the distance of a football field away. They have unique lenses that can increase information in the same way a telescope does.
Rays and sharks have flat refractive crystals of guanine that activate in murky waters to allow better sight.
So as far as the naked eye is apprehensive it’s pretty evident that many if not all animals have a certain edge over us humans when it comes to seeing in the dark. But as luck would have it us humans have been able to develop night vision technology to the point where we can see very visibly in nearly total darkness. But if you reckon your eye’s can now compete with those of an animal I’m worried you are sadly flawed.
Author: Craig Mooney
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty rates
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