Slit Vision
Posted by Debbie Reed on December 18, 2003
Q: Why do domestic goats need night vision?
A: It may seem strange, but many of our domestic animals graze at night as well as during the day. I'm not sure if this is a time when there are fewer predators (or used to be when they were wild animals) or whether they simply need to feed longer than daylight permits but I've often seen cows grazing happily in a field late at night. Good night vision would certainly help them see and avoid predators so this would make sense.
The pupil in a goat's eye is rectangular in shape unlike those of most other animals. It is believed that goats have excellent night vision and do often feed at night. Hope this helps.
John Wiessinger ( December 18, 2003)
Filed under: Mammals