Did You Know…???

Cats can’t see in the dark; they need some light to activate the sensor cells of their retinas.

But cats can see well in one-sixth the light needed by humans. One reason is the tapetum lucidum—Latin for “bright carpet” - a layer of glittering cells behind the cat’s retina.

When light comes into the cat’s eye it passes the light sensing cells in the retina, is reflected by the mirror cells behind, and hits the retina a second time, enhancing the effectiveness of the light. Coincidentally, the reflection from this “carpet” of cells produces tabby’s gleaming eyes.

Humans' eyes don't have a similar mirror but many animals do: whales, dolphins, horses, hippos, antelopes, dog and rats.