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In collaboration with colleagues from the Hanley Color Lab at George Mason University<\/a>, Vasas has developed a tool that lets us experience the world through the eyes of different species.<\/p>\n How animals see color<\/p>\n Animals perceive color through photoreceptor cells in their eyes, and the number and type of these cells can vary widely among species.<\/p>\n While humans have three types of cone cells sensitive to red, green, and blue light, many animals have additional types that allow them to see colors beyond our visible spectrum<\/a>.<\/p>\n Birds, for instance, often have superior color vision compared to humans. They possess tetrachromatic vision, which includes the ability to see ultraviolet light. <\/p>\n This extra range is crucial for behaviors like selecting mates and finding food. Many insects, like bees<\/a>, also see ultraviolet light, helping them detect patterns on flowers that are invisible to us.<\/p>\n Reds, greens, and animal colors<\/p>\n On the other hand, mammals such as dogs and cats have dichromatic vision. They can\u2019t distinguish between red and green, much like humans with red-green color blindness. <\/p>\n This reduced color perception limits their ability to see the full spectrum of colors that we can<\/a>, affecting how they interact with their surroundings.<\/p>\n Understanding these differences is essential for studying animal behavior and ecology. But until now, visualizing how animals see the world has been a significant challenge.<\/p>\n False color imaging has offered glimpses into animal vision but comes with drawbacks. It\u2019s time-consuming, requires specific lighting conditions, and can\u2019t capture movement effectively.<\/p>\n These limitations have made it tough for scientists and filmmakers to represent animal vision accurately.<\/p>\n Addressing these hurdles, Vasas\u2019s team developed a cutting-edge camera<\/a> and software system capable of recording and processing videos under natural lighting conditions. This means we can now see colors just as animals do, in real time.<\/p>\n \u201cOur system records in four color channels: blue, green, red, and UV,\u201d explains Vasas. \u201cIt then converts this data into \u2018perceptual units\u2019 \u2013 essentially translating it into a format that replicates animal vision based on known photoreceptor data.\u201d<\/p>\n High accuracy and practical use<\/p>\n Impressively, when compared to traditional spectrophotometry methods, this system boasts over 92% accuracy in predicting the colors<\/a> that animals perceive.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a significant improvement, making the technology not just innovative but also reliable.<\/p>\n This opens up unprecedented avenues for scientific research. Scientists can now explore the dynamic, colorful world as seen by various species, leading to deeper insights into animal behavior and ecology.<\/p>\n Filmmakers stand to benefit immensely from this technology. They can create more accurate and engaging representations of animal vision, bringing audiences closer to understanding the natural world<\/a>. <\/p>\n Before long, expect to see documentaries where viewers can experience the ultraviolet patterns that guide bees or the limited color palette seen by dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis technology bridges the gap between human and animal perception<\/a>,\u201d says Vasas. \u201cIt allows us to not only study animals more effectively but also to educate and inspire people by showing them a world they\u2019ve never seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the most impressive aspects of this system is its practicality. It\u2019s constructed from readily available commercial cameras, housed in a modular, 3D-printed casing. <\/p>\n This makes it accessible for researchers and filmmakers without requiring specialized, expensive equipment.<\/p>\n Animal vision and the color spectrum<\/p>\n The way animals see and perceive color is key to understanding their survival strategies.<\/p>\n For instance, the mantis shrimp has one of the most complex vision systems known, with twelve to sixteen types of photoreceptor cells. <\/p>\n This allows them to detect polarized light and see a spectrum far beyond human capability, helping them spot prey and predators in the intricate underwater world.<\/p>\n Snakes use infrared vision to hunt warm-blooded prey in the dark, while reindeer see ultraviolet light to spot predators against the snowy landscape. <\/p>\n These abilities are essential adaptations that have evolved over millions of years. The color spectrum seen by a particular species can mean the difference between extinction and ecosystem dominance.<\/p>\n Evolution has tailored the vision of each species to meet its specific needs. Animals develop unique color vision abilities based on their environment and survival challenges. This results in a rich diversity of visual capabilities across the animal kingdom.<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstanding how animals see the world helps us make better decisions about conservation and habitat management,\u201d notes Vasas. <\/p>\n \u201cIt can inform how we design buildings, roads, and even lighting to minimize negative impacts on wildlife.\u201d<\/p>\n New lens on the natural world<\/p>\n The camera technology developed in the Hanley Color Lab allows us to see through the eyes of other creatures. It\u2019s a tool that brings us closer to the natural world, fostering empathy and understanding.<\/p>\n As we continue to explore these new perspectives, we gain a deeper connection to the diverse creatures that share our planet.<\/p>\n The possibilities are vast. From academic research to immersive educational experiences, this technology is set to transform how we see and interact with the animal kingdom. <\/p>\n The full study was published in the journal\u00a0PLoS Biology<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.<\/p>\n Check us out on EarthSnap<\/a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls<\/a> and Earth.com.<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new camera system is making it possible for humans to see colors in the way animals do,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":527194,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[49,48,295,66],"class_list":{"0":"post-527193","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-environment","11":"tag-science"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/527193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=527193"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/527193\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/527194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=527193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=527193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=527193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Frames](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/animal-color-vision_camera-frames_PLOS-One_1s.webp.webp\")
<\/a>Frames from animal vision camera. (A) Here, we show 3 male orange sulphurs (Colias eurytheme). These butterflies display strong angle-dependent UV iridescence on the dorsal side of their wings. The UV-iridescent portions appear more orange to the human observer than the otherwise yellow wings (see human-visible inset). Credit: PLOS One. Click image to enlarge.Colors, vision, and species evolution<\/p>\n