Many animals have superior night vision compared to humans, but this doesn’t necessarily mean better color vision. Most animals sacrifice color perception for better night vision through these adaptations:
- A reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum
- More rod cells (for night vision) than cone cells (for color)
- Larger pupils and corneas
Cats, for example, can see in light six times dimmer than humans need, but their color perception is less vivid. Nocturnal animals like owls and moths have evolved specialized eyes that prioritize light sensitivity over color discrimination. This trade-off allows them to hunt and navigate effectively in low-light conditions while relying more on movement and contrast than color.