Can Sharks See Color? – Are Sharks Color Blind?

October 20, 2017
1 min read

Unlike chimaeras and rays, sharks are unable to see colors and so they are color blind. There are essentially two kinds of specialized cells in the retina of an eye that can pick out light. These cells are called photoreceptors and the two main cell types in vertebrates are rods and cones. The rod cells are extremely sensitive to light and so they work in dim light. They give a black-and-white image of the objects. However, the rods do not have the ability to distinguish colors. Cones are not very much sensitive to low light but they can pick out different light wavelengths.

In case of sharks, they possess rods and cones but in order to see colors, the animal requires different types of cones and not just one type. Actually, the visible light contains different colors with each having its own wavelength. Now to detect the wavelength of each color, the animal must have different types of cone cells that in turn may recognize colors of different wavelengths.

When 17 species of sharks were studied, it was observed that they did not possess different types of cones. They had only one cone type and in some cases, there were only rods and no cones at all. For that reason, if the sharks (and also skates) possess only rods and no cones, it means they can only see the contrast and brightness of the image rather than its colors. On the contrary, the chimaeras and rays possess three different types of cone cells in the retina. Thus, they can easily distinguish colors of different wavelengths.

Sources:

Schmidt, Jennifer V. “Do Sharks See Color?” The Shark Research Institute.

Tripp, Emily. “Do Sharks Have Color Vision?” Marine Science Today

Latest from Blog

Cane Rat (Thryonomyidae)

Cane rats are robust rodents with stocky bodies, small ears, and short tails; body covered with sharply pointed, but pliable, spiny hairs; broad, heavily built orange-colored chisel-shaped incisors, with the upper ones grooved longitudinally at the front. They will make habitats in grasslands and wooded savanna. What Do Cane Rats…

What Do Antbirds Eat?

Antbirds (Formicariidae) are small to medium-sized songbirds with short, rounded wings, a short or long tail, and a stout or slender bill slightly hooked at the tip, feed on insects on the ground or in trees or thickets; prey is usually gleaned from foliage, although some species also catch flying…

Where Do Mountain Beavers Live?

Mountain beavers do not hibernate and so are active throughout winter. They are primarily nocturnal but are frequently active for short periods during the day. Mountain Beaver Habitat Habitats used by mountain beavers vary, but are typically forests with dense patches of herbs and shrubs. This vegetation supplies not only…

What Do Pangolins Eat?

Pangolins love munching on bugs, especially ants and termites. They sniff out their insect feasts, and sometimes the big pangolins go for the larger bugs. What’s on the menu can change depending on what’s available or the time of year. What Do Pangolins Eat? Pangolins can be a bit choosy,…

Proper Nutrition for Pets

Pet care is a complicated topic, as it is challenging to come to a single opinion. However, most owners will agree that the choice of food has a substantial impact on the condition of cats and dogs. Since much depends on the correct determination of needs, it is worth paying…
");pageTracker._trackPageview();
Go toTop