Reindeer eyes change color because a reflective layer behind the retina, called the tapetum lucidum, changes with the seasons. In Arctic summer, this layer reflects mostly golden light. During winter, it becomes deep blue, helping the animal detect light in the dim Arctic environment. Researchers ha...
Archerfish shoot water by using a specialized groove in the roof of their mouth, their tongue, and pressure generated inside the mouth and gill chambers. Together, these structures help form a narrow water jet that can knock insects from vegetation above the water. Archerfish do more than simply squ...
Pigeons bob their heads while walking mainly to stabilize their vision. The movement consists of two phases: a hold phase, when the head remains almost stationary relative to the surrounding environment while the body moves forward, and a thrust phase, when the head moves quickly to a new position....
Fish can see objects, particles, bubbles, light patterns, and boundaries in water, but they probably do not perceive uniformly clear water as a separate visible object. Just as humans normally look through clean air without noticing the air itself, fish see their surroundings through the water aroun...
Vision is one of the most important senses in the animal kingdom, allowing creatures to gather vital information about their surroundings. With such a variety of habitats and lifestyles, animal eyes have evolved in extraordinary ways. Some animals are predators, others prey; some are nocturnal, whil...