The Difference in Retina
Cats and humans perceive the world in different ways, primarily due to the differences in their retinas. The retina, located at the back of the eye, contains photoreceptor cells that convert light rays into electrical signals. These signals are then processed by nerve cells and interpreted by the brain.
In humans, there are two types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. Rods are responsible for peripheral and night vision and are sensitive to brightness and shades of gray. Cones, on the other hand, are responsible for day vision and color perception. Humans have a higher concentration of cones, enabling them to perceive colors more vividly.
In contrast, cats have a higher concentration of rods and a lower concentration of cones. This means that while cats have superior night vision, they struggle to detect colors as well as humans.
Visual Field
The visual field refers to the area that can be seen when the eyes focus on a single point. Cats have a slightly wider visual field of 200 degrees, compared to humans’ average visual field of 180 degrees. This wider field allows cats to have a broader perspective of their surroundings.
Visual Acuity
Visual acuity refers to the clarity of vision. Humans typically have a visual acuity of 20/20, meaning they can see clearly at 20 feet what an average person can see at the same distance. Cats, on the other hand, have a lower visual acuity ranging from 20/100 to 20/200. This means that a cat needs to be at a distance of 20 feet to see what a human can see at 100 or 200 feet. As a result, the cat’s view of the world appears blurry compared to humans with their sharper vision.
Color Vision
Contrary to popular belief, cats can perceive colors to some extent. While humans are trichromats and have three types of cones allowing them to see red, green, and blue, cats are also thought to be trichromats but with a different color perception. Cats can detect shades of blue and green, but they struggle with distinguishing reds and pinks, which may appear more green to them. Additionally, cats do not see the same richness of hues and saturation of colors that humans do. Their color vision is less vibrant and vivid compared to ours.
Distance Perception
Cats are known to be nearsighted, which means they have difficulty seeing objects in the distance. However, their eyesight is perfectly suited for hunting and capturing prey at close range. Their ability to focus on nearby objects enables them to stalk and pounce on their targets with precision.
Night Vision
One of the most remarkable aspects of cat vision is their superior ability to see in the dark. Cats have a higher number of rods in their retinas, which are highly sensitive to dim light. This enables them to see using much less light than humans require. In fact, cats can function with just one-sixth the amount of light that humans need. This exceptional night vision is further enhanced by a structure behind the retina called the tapetum. The tapetum acts like a mirror, reflecting light back to the photoreceptors and giving cats another opportunity to capture the limited available light. This is also why cats’ eyes appear to glow in the dark.
A Glimpse Through a Cat’s Eyes
Artist Nickolay Lamm collaborated with animal vision experts to provide a visual representation of how cats see the world compared to humans. The images reveal the differences in visual field, visual acuity, color perception, distance perception, and night vision between cats and humans.
Understanding how cats perceive the world helps us appreciate their unique abilities and adapt our interactions with them accordingly. By considering their vision constraints, we can create a more enriching environment for our feline companions.
For more information on cat behavior and care, refer to our comprehensive guide on understanding cats.
