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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWhy Do My Cat's... Eyes Glow in the Dark?
By Arden Moore | January 18, 2012
A Special Feature For Hunters
The feline eye is proportionately larger than the human eye and features a layer of highly reflective cells known as the tapetum lucidum. The larger eye size and the tapetum combine to enable a cat to see movement and objects better in dim light.
The tapetum lucidum, located between the optic nerve and the retina, operates like a mirror, reflecting the light and allowing the rods and cones another opportunity to pick up the limited amount of light available at night, Dr. Powell explains. This anatomical feature, which proves to be an asset for animals who do their best hunting at dawn and dusk, has been passed down to the domesticated cat from his ancestors.
The eyes of these animals are geared for low-light vision," Dr. Miller says. "They include dogs, cats, cattle, deer, horses and ferrets. However, humans and primates do not have the tapetum lucidum, and neither do squirrels because they're more active during the day, their retinas are designed for brighter light vision.
The feline eye is proportionately larger than the human eye and features a layer of highly reflective cells known as the tapetum lucidum. The larger eye size and the tapetum combine to enable a cat to see movement and objects better in dim light.
The tapetum lucidum, located between the optic nerve and the retina, operates like a mirror, reflecting the light and allowing the rods and cones another opportunity to pick up the limited amount of light available at night, Dr. Powell explains. This anatomical feature, which proves to be an asset for animals who do their best hunting at dawn and dusk, has been passed down to the domesticated cat from his ancestors.
The eyes of these animals are geared for low-light vision," Dr. Miller says. "They include dogs, cats, cattle, deer, horses and ferrets. However, humans and primates do not have the tapetum lucidum, and neither do squirrels because they're more active during the day, their retinas are designed for brighter light vision.
More at the link: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-do-my-cats-eyes-glow-in-the-dark
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Why Do My Cat's... Eyes Glow in the Dark? (Original Post)
ZombieHorde
Apr 2013
OP
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)1. My parrots eyes don't glow in the dark.
dimbear
(6,271 posts)2. It is the same reason a TV antenna has several 'arms.' They allow more than one chance to catch the
signal.
mucifer
(23,374 posts)3. If a human get's that weird glow, it's a VERY bad thing.
It's probably a retinoblastoma. If you shine a light in someone's eye who has a retinoblastoma you get a "cat's eye reflex".
More on the cat's eye reflex:
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=345400