Dogs can see in the dark, but not in the same way that humans can see with night vision goggles. Dogs have a few anatomical differences that make them better suited to see, survive, and hunt at night. Here are some key points about how dogs see at night:
- Dogs can see movement and light in the dark better than humans can.
- Dogs have a special layer of reflective cells behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum, which acts as a mirror within the eye, reflecting the light that enters it and giving the retina another opportunity to register that light. This magnifies and enhances visual sensitivity under low light conditions and increases the dog’s ability to detect objects.
- Dogs have larger pupils than humans, which allow more light to enter the eye.
- Dogs have rod-dominated retinas that allow them to see well in the dark. Along with superior night vision, dogs have better motion visibility than humans have.
- Dogs are unable to recognize green, yellow, orange, and red. They use other cues such as smell, texture, brightness, and position rather than relying solely on color.
Overall, dogs have a significant advantage over humans in their ability to see in dark conditions.
