Human color vision is based on three types of cone cells (trichromatic vision) that detect red, green, and blue wavelengths. However, animal color perception varies significantly:
- Birds have tetrachromatic vision with four types of cone cells, allowing them to see ultraviolet light
- Dogs are dichromatic, having only two types of cone cells, making them partially colorblind
- Butterflies can have up to 15 different photoreceptors
- Some snakes can detect infrared radiation
These differences evolved based on each species’ survival needs. For example, bees’ UV vision helps them identify patterns on flowers that are invisible to humans, while a snake’s infrared detection aids in hunting warm-blooded prey.