10 animals that can detect UV light humans cannot see
These UV-sensitive species, ranging from insects and birds to sea creatures, rely on ultraviolet vision to navigate, hunt, and communicate in ways we can't perceive. Discover the fascinating science behind UV perception and explore 10 animals with ultraviolet eyesight that reveal nature's hidden code.
Animals with UV vision
including scorpions, butterflies and more
Bumblebees
Source: Live Science
Bumblebees are more than just fuzzy pollinators; they're equipped with UV-sensitive eyes that make flowers glow in ways we can't imagine.
Many flowers have UV-reflective markings—like hidden bullseyes or arrows—that direct bees straight to nectar. These 'nectar guides' enhance foraging efficiency and ensure successful pollination. Bumblebees can even differentiate between flowers that appear identical to humans, making them expert navigators of nature's secret maps.
Butterflies
Source: National Geographic
Butterflies are known for their dazzling colors, but their vision reveals much more.
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Their eyes can detect UV patterns on flowers and on each other's wings. These patterns often signal a butterfly's sex, health, or readiness to mate. While humans may see identical butterflies, butterflies can identify individuals through UV signals. This ability plays a vital role in reproduction, survival, and pollination.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies have some of the most advanced eyes in the insect world. Their compound eyes, containing thousands of individual lenses, include UV receptors that help them detect prey, water surfaces, and rival dragonflies.
This sharp UV vision gives them unparalleled hunting precision. Some researchers even believe dragonflies have the widest color vision spectrum of any known animal.
Reindeer
Among mammals, reindeer are rare in their ability to see UV light. In the Arctic, UV light reflects off snow and ice, allowing reindeer to see things that would otherwise be invisible—like the dark urine stains of predators or edible lichen. This vision offers a vital advantage in detecting threats and locating food in the harsh tundra landscape.
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye salmon start their lives in UV-rich freshwater and transition to deeper, darker ocean habitats. As juveniles, they rely on UV vision to find plankton and navigate their environment. As they mature, their vision adapts, losing UV sensitivity in favor of deeper water wavelengths. This flexibility is key to their survival at every stage.
Blue Tits
Blue tits, common in European woodlands, use UV light to make better parenting decisions.
Their feathers reflect UV in patterns that signal health and vitality. UV-reflective markings on chicks' mouths also help parents locate and feed them quickly. This ability improves reproductive success and enhances communication within the family unit.
Mantis Shrimp
The mantis shrimp boasts one of the most complex visual systems on Earth, including UV and polarized light sensitivity. With up to 16 types of photoreceptors, they can detect a range of signals far beyond human capability.
This allows them to hunt, avoid predators, and communicate with other mantis shrimp using secret, UV-encoded signals.
Pigeons
Pigeons may seem ordinary, but their UV vision is extraordinary. This hidden sense helps them spot water, recognize fellow pigeons, and possibly even navigate using UV-reflective cues in the landscape. Their feathers reflect UV in ways that aid social recognition, making them more socially attuned and spatially aware than we realize.
Butterfish
Butterfish, despite their plain appearance, have evolved to see UV light. In their sunlit ocean habitat, this helps them detect prey like plankton and navigate complex environments. Their eyes filter UV rays, turning the underwater world into a glowing mosaic of signals used for feeding and survival.
Scorpions
Scorpions glow under UV light due to compounds in their exoskeletons. But they also appear to sense UV light, which may help them avoid sunlight or detect lunar cues. Scientists use UV flashlights to find glowing scorpions at night, revealing a strange synergy between UV perception and fluorescence.
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