Lizards are ever-evolving creatures – adapting and changing as time passes. You’ll often see these tiny-tailed creatures wandering the walls at night time – which brings the question: Can lizards see in the dark?
This attribute largely depends on their time of activity. While most lizards are diurnal, 18% of the species are nocturnal. To function in the darkness, these nocturnal creatures have night vision. So, while not all lizards can see in the dark, some – namely geckos – certainly can.
Lizards are very interesting creatures, so if you want to know more about lizard night vision, then keep reading the article to find out.
The Mechanics Behind a Lizard’s Night-Vision:
Like humans, lizards generally have two types of photoreceptors in their retina: rods and cones. While rods aid vision at low levels of light, cones are responsible for vision at higher light levels.
Though most nocturnal reptiles have a greater concentration of rods, geckos uniquely have more cones. These cones enable them to see higher wavelengths in the UV range at night (Yes, they can see you eat your midnight snack).
In addition, they have vertical pupils that can stretch to cover the entire eye. These features are why lizards can see so well in the dark. So much so that the eyes of the gecko are said to be 350 times more sensitive than human eyes!
Larger Pupils: Better or Blurry Vision?
It’s commonly known that larger pupils contribute to a smaller focal length, which would produce blurry vision. However, nocturnal lizards counteract that with multifocal lenses. Having multiple zones in their eyes with various refractive powers allows them to produce clear and focused images.
How Does Night Vision Help?
Attuning their eyes to the times of their activities helps the lizard survive. This way, they’re able to escape predators and easily hunt for food. Though they’ll hide in nooks and crannies during the day, they’ll go out and hunt for prey once the night approaches.
Why Do Lizards Stare?
If you see a lizard staring at you in the dead of the night (when you’re trying to get some well-earned sleep), worry not! They’re only trying to figure out whether you pose a threat or not. As a general rule of thumb, lizards avoid confrontations and are pretty harmless creatures.
Fun Fact: Some Lizards Have 3 Eyes!
The parietal eye, or the third eye, can be found on the top of a lizard’s head in the middle of its other eyes. Though it only consists of a lens and a retina, it is still photoreceptive. While this eye can’t differentiate between colors or form images, it can still sense light and darkness.
Takeaway
As we’ve learned, some lizards – particularly the nocturnal ones – can indeed see in the dark. From larger pupils to light-sensitive cones, their eyes have well-adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle. These creatures are just as dependent on their sight as we are, maybe even more.
It not only helps them survive as they hunt for prey but allows them to easily navigate too. So, the next time you hear some skittering amongst the walls in the dark, it’s probably just your house lizard finding its way through the night.
