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Why do cats have better night vision than many other mammals?

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Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) with tufted ears and spotted fur walking through snow in a winter landscape. — feline The Eurasian lynx (*Lynx lynx*), a member of the family Felidae, can be found in forests that range from Scandinavia to far eastern Russia. It is the largest member of the genus *Lynx* and the third largest predator in Europe.

Cats possess superior night vision compared to many other mammals primarily due to their specialized anatomy, which allows them to function effectively as crepuscular hunters active at dawn and dusk.21

The key mechanism behind this ability is the tapetum lucidum, a layer of cells located behind the retina. This structure reflects light back through the eye, allowing cats to utilize ambient light with high efficiency. Consequently, cats require only one-sixth of the illumination levels that humans need to see clearly.2

Additionally, cats have slit pupils that provide precise control over the amount of light entering the eye. In low-light conditions, these pupils can expand significantly to capture as much light as possible, which is essential for navigating and hunting in dim environments. Conversely, in bright daylight, the pupils constrict to a narrow opening to protect the sensitive retina from damage. These adaptations collectively ensure that cats maintain optimal vision across a wide range of lighting conditions.1