Many animals have superior night vision compared to humans due to specialized adaptations:
- Tapetum lucidum – A reflective layer behind the retina in cats, dogs, and other animals that enhances light sensitivity
- Rod cells – Animals like owls have more rod cells, which are responsible for night vision
- Larger eyes – Some nocturnal animals have proportionally larger eyes to capture more light
While humans can distinguish more colors in daylight, many animals sacrifice color vision for better night vision. For example, cats can see in light levels six times dimmer than humans, but they see fewer colors. This trade-off evolved based on their hunting patterns and survival needs.