Color vision varies significantly across species due to different types and numbers of photoreceptors. Humans are trichromats, meaning we have three types of cone cells that detect red, green, and blue wavelengths. In contrast:
- Most mammals are dichromats (two types of cones), seeing fewer colors than humans
- Birds and some insects are tetrachromats, seeing four or more color channels, including ultraviolet light
- Dogs see primarily blues and yellows, with limited ability to distinguish reds and greens
- Bees can see ultraviolet patterns in flowers that are invisible to humans
These differences evolved based on each species’ survival needs and environmental adaptations.