What colors do cats see and which ones don't they see? - briefly
Cats have fewer color-sensing cone cells in their eyes compared to humans, allowing them to distinguish between blue and yellow hues but not between red and green. Therefore, cats are considered colorblind for shades of red, orange, and pink.
What colors do cats see and which ones don't they see? - in detail
Cats, like many other mammals, have a different visual spectrum compared to humans. This difference is primarily due to the structure of their eyes and the types of photoreceptor cells present in the retina.
Humans possess three types of cone cells that allow us to perceive a wide range of colors. These are often referred to as short (S), medium (M), and long (L) wavelength-sensitive cones, which detect blue, green, and red light respectively. Cats, on the other hand, have only two types of cone cells: those that are sensitive to short wavelengths (blue) and those that are sensitive to medium wavelengths (green). This dichromatic color vision means cats can distinguish between blue and green, but they struggle with shades of red, orange, and yellow.
The absence of the long-wavelength cones in cats' eyes significantly impacts their ability to perceive warm colors. Reds appear as dark grays or browns, while oranges and yellows are perceived as various shades of gray. This limitation is further compounded by the fact that cats have fewer cone cells overall compared to humans. The predominance of rod cells in a cat's eye makes them highly sensitive to low light conditions but reduces their ability to discern colors accurately.
In addition to this limited color perception, cats also see better in dim light than humans do. Their eyes are designed for detecting movement and changes in light levels rather than for distinguishing fine details or a wide range of colors. This adaptation is crucial for their hunting instincts, as it allows them to spot prey more effectively in low-light conditions.
In summary, cats have a dichromatic color vision system that relies on two types of cone cells. They can see shades of blue and green but struggle with perceiving reds, oranges, and yellows, which appear as various shades of gray to them. This limitation is a result of the structure of their eyes and the types of photoreceptor cells present in their retinas.