Why do cats' eyes shine greenish whenever you flash a light at them in the dark? Is there a special chemical that cats and deer have that make their eyes shine? what purpose does this serve?
Why do humans not have "shiny night eyes?"
Posts: 437 | Location: Western PA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
The tapetum lucidum allows the cat to take in extra light in dim situations. Lining most of the back of the retina, the tapetum lucidum acts as a mirror, reflecting light that was not absorbed the first time it passed through the retina. The result is the glow, called eye shine, that you see when light strikes your cat's eyes in a darkened room.
