Can Cats See in Complete Darkness? Understanding Feline Night Vision and Lighting Preferences
Cats are naturally nocturnal creatures, exhibiting a preference for darkness, especially at night. Their visual acuity is remarkably sharp, enabling them to gather and utilize even the faintest light. Consequently, they can navigate well in low-light conditions. However, it's important to understand that cats cannot see in absolutely complete darkness. While their eyes are highly optimized for low-light situations, the absence of any light source renders them unable to perceive their surroundings. The unique structure of a cat's eye distinguishes it from that of diurnal animals. A specialized layer called the tapetum lucidum, located behind the retina, is responsible for their exceptional night vision. This layer acts like a mirror, reflecting light back onto the retina. When faint light passes through the retina, it enters the tapetum lucidum, gets reflected, and passes through the retina a second time. This double exposure allows the cat's eye to utilize even the faintest...