As certain animals have adapted to the daytime, others have adapted to the night. In order to survive, nocturnal animals evolved senses that would help them navigate, and find food. Most notably, nocturnal animals have eyes that are well-adapted to low light conditions.
There are three particular eye features that allow some animals to thrive at night.
Eye Shape
Many nocturnal hunters have a unique eye shape with a much larger retinal surface than animals that live by day. This unique eye shape allows nocturnal animals to capture more light. By capturing more light, these animals can discern more information about their surroundings even on a moonless night.
Rods Versus Cones
Nocturnal animals have more rods than cones in their eyes.
What does that mean?
Rods and cones are retinal cells that respond to light. Rods are a type of retinal cell, which have a conical, rod-like shape. Rods are designed to identify information in low light conditions. Contrastingly, cones are retinal cells that work well in daylight.
Tapetum Lucidum
Image: Wikipedia
Nocturnal animals have eyes with a tapetum lucidum, which is Latin for “bright tapestry”. A bright tapestry is exactly what the tapetum is. It’s a mirror-like, reflective layer at the back of an animal’s eye that is designed to supply more light to the rods and cones.
The tapetum layer is actually something that you can see, especially at night. If you’ve ever seen the glowing eyes of a dog, cat, deer, raccoon, or coyote, you’ve seen the tapetum layer. That glow is called “eyeshine”, a unique feature of the tapetum.
Nite Guard understands night vision
At Nite Guard, we researched predator night vision in order to develop our predator control lights. Nite Guard Solar lights feature a bright, flashing red light. To a nocturnal predator, this bright, flashing light appears to be the glowing eye of another predator―a predator with a shining tapetum layer.
The nocturnal predator perceives the red light as a threat, and is frightened away, leaving your property safe and unharmed.
By mimicking nature, Nite Guard Solar lights reliably and effectively protect your farm, ranch, garden, backyard pond, and other property.
Install Nite Guard Solar lights today.
You can shop for our lights on our online shop, or at a retailer near you.
Need to find your local Nite Guard Solar retailer?
Give us a call at 1-800-328-6647, or send us an email, and we’ll help you find your local retailer.
