|
Post by GeordieGerbil on Aug 8, 2012 18:01:32 GMT -8
Just a couple of things I've always wondered... I wonder if gerbils are colourblind? Dogs are supposedly colourblind but I've never heard anything about rodents... My cages are lovely and colourful so I'd like to hope they're not! I also wonder how good they can see in the dark. They're often up at night and make their way around the cage without any problems...hmm. I heard that they can actually see better in the dark, but I don't think that could be true... it's times like this you wish they could talk! Just thought I'd ask people what they thought as I have pondered about these for a while now Feel free to post if you have any theories!
|
|
gerbilsrbest
member
You'll always be in my heart: Demon | Angel
Posts: 26
|
Post by gerbilsrbest on Aug 9, 2012 9:36:08 GMT -8
Gerbils are both, Nocturnal (Night-Active) and Diurnal (Day-Active) they switch back and forth but they are primary nocturnal. If that makes any sense ;D
|
|
|
Post by fourpaws on Aug 9, 2012 14:41:14 GMT -8
I always remember the first time I saw my gerbils pupils - it kinda freaked me out! The actually look like snake eyes. The pupils are vertical down the middle of the eye (if you can get them in sunlight the pupil shows up best). I think (but don;t quote me) that this gives them really good peripheral vision and great night vision as the pupil can have more surface area when it opens wide, so absorbs more of whatever light is available.
Try and have a look - it;s freaky but cool!
As for colour, I;m not too sure. Perhaps you should try an experiment where if they choose a certain colour they get a treat.
|
|
|
Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Aug 9, 2012 15:34:14 GMT -8
Most mammals are believed to be dichromats, often unable to distinguish red/green. Rodents fall under this, both rats and mice are dichromats. Some mice were engineered to have a third type of cone. Gerbils are probably dichromats. www.egerbil.com/eyesight.htmlA few mammals such as dolphins and seals are monochromats and see in grayscale. Many primates are trichromats like us, and can see red, green, and blue. Marsupials are known to be trichromats as well. This link will show you how differnt types of mono/di/trichromats perceive color. www.iamcal.com/toys/colors/and here are some pictures colorvisiontesting.com/what%20colorblind%20people%20see.htmMany reptiles, insects, spiders, and bird species are tetrachromats and can see 4 colors, and can see ultraviolet light. Many flowers exhibit UV patterns, and some even fluoresce. Gerbils may also have sensitivities to UV. www.naturfotograf.com/UV_ANGE_SYL.htmlThere is a theory that some people (probably female) may have 4 different types of cones, allowing them to perceive a greater difference in colors. Having a red, red-green, green, and blue. Its interesting stuff, In a round about way, gerbils are also trichromats like us, but it is hard to even being to imagine how they would see the world when they can detect a color we cannot. Their vision is also poor, and alothough they can see these three colors, most of their vision is on light intensity and not differentiating the color. like having atypical protanopia with the bonus of seeing things fluoresce so... in other words, seeing in a drab blue-yellow scale with things that glow in the light...
|
|
foxyandlilly
member
Use your wisdom teeth, and your claws of fury, and lets build us a mighty fine house!
Posts: 48
|
Post by foxyandlilly on Aug 9, 2012 17:16:32 GMT -8
Gerbils see in black in white but they can still tell color from color. They can also see UV rays!
|
|
|
Post by sparky on Aug 10, 2012 11:29:01 GMT -8
That's really interesting. I will be looking at things differently when my gerbils are out to play.
|
|
|
Post by lizzie51813 on Nov 11, 2013 19:11:16 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on Jul 22, 2023 10:56:40 GMT -8
Wow now I wish I could see UV! So beautiful!
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Jul 30, 2023 5:32:10 GMT -8
Certainly is! I have a vague memory of reading somewhere that a few people can see into the edge of the UV spectrum! It would be useful if I could remember where I read that, but sadly I don't, possibly in New Scientist?? But I have no idea when.
|
|