How many colors can a cat see? - briefly
Cats can see a limited range of colors, primarily blues and greens, but they cannot distinguish reds and pinks as vividly as humans. Their vision is adapted for detecting motion and seeing in low light rather than perceiving a broad color spectrum.
How many colors can a cat see? - in detail
Cats possess a unique vision system that differs significantly from that of humans, particularly in how they perceive colors. While humans are trichromatic, meaning they have three types of cone cells in their eyes that detect red, green, and blue wavelengths, cats are dichromatic. This means they have only two types of cone cells, which are sensitive to blue and green-yellow wavelengths. As a result, cats cannot perceive the full spectrum of colors that humans can. Their vision is most attuned to shades of blue and green, while colors like red and orange appear more muted or even grayish to them. The absence of red-sensitive cones limits their ability to distinguish between certain hues, making their color perception less vibrant compared to humans. However, this adaptation is not a disadvantage; it aligns with their evolutionary needs as crepuscular hunters, prioritizing motion detection and low-light vision over color differentiation. Studies suggest that cats see the world in a palette akin to a desaturated image, where blues and greens dominate, and other colors blend into a more limited range. This specialized vision allows them to excel in their natural environments, even if it means sacrificing the richness of color perception that humans experience.