Sunday, May 2, 2010

Why Do Cats' Eyes Glow In The Dark?


Cat's glow-in-the-dark eyes seem eerie, mystical, even scary when they pop out at you from the black of night, especially since your cat is one of only a few animals that can return a human's stare. There is a simple explanation for that characteristic green or gold shine. A membrane, called tapetum lucidum, coats the eye and reflects light. When a cat is in the dark, its pupils open wide and light is reflected off them, but they're not actually "glowing." This ability along with their extraordinary sensitivity to ultraviolet rays, enables them to see well in the dark.

No comments:

Post a Comment