There Are Colours Humans Can’t See, But Animals See Them Every Day
Kazi Nasir | Dec 24, 2025, 17:22 IST
Ultraviolet Vision in Animals
Image credit : AI - ChatGPT
Humans experience the world through colour, yet our eyes can only see a small portion of the light spectrum. Beyond visible colours lies ultraviolet (UV) light, which remains completely invisible to human vision. Surprisingly, many animals such as birds, bees, fish and reindeer can see ultraviolet light clearly. This ability allows them to detect hidden patterns, find food more efficiently, choose mates and spot predators.
Highlights
- Humans can only see a small range of visible light
- Birds see UV patterns on feathers that help in mating
- Bees use UV markings on flowers as nectar guides
What makes the world so beautiful? It may be the colour. But do you know that the human eyes are not capable of seeing all the colours that exist in nature? Yes, our eyes can only see a small range of lights and there are certain types of light called ultraviolet (UV) that are beyond human vision. But many animals can see it clearly. And for these animals, this world is more colourful than us and who know maybe even more beautiful.
Light has many forms, like radio waves, X-ray and visible light. What is humbling is that humans are only capable of seeing a tiny slice of light or visible light. And light like ultraviolet rays is beyond our vision because our eyes lack the receptors to detect UVs. Ultraviolet light is already all around us as sunlight contains it. We don't see it but we feel its effects like sunburn or skin tanning.
![Bees Ultraviolet Flowers]()
Birds: Two birds that may look the same to us but due to UV rays, they might look very different to one another. Birds' feathers reflect UV patterns as well, which is invisible to humans. These patterns help them to detect the health of other birds and attract them to mate.
Bees: When human eyes sees flower, it's just another simple thing with beauty, ofcourse. But flowers have UV markings that signal landing guides to bees. Flowers have arrows and targets that show where nectar is. Which is why, bees can find food so efficiently.
Fish: UV vision help fish to spot prey and to avoid predators to protect themselves. Some fish even use UV patterns to communicate secretly.
![Colours Beyond Human Vision]()
Reindeer: They also have UV vision to spot predators against the snow. Snow reflects a lot of UV light, looking bright but urine and fur absorb UV lgiht and they look dark, to human eyes its all the same but reindeer can see the difference and protect themselves.
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Q1. Are dogs 100% color blind?
Ans: Cats and dogs are colour blind
Q2. What color is grass to a dog?
Ans: brownish-yellow
Q3. Can dogs see TV?
Ans: Yes, dogs can see TV
What Is Ultraviolet Light and Why Humans Can’t See It
Animals That See Ultraviolet
Bees Ultraviolet Flowers
Image credit : AI - ChatGPT
Birds: Two birds that may look the same to us but due to UV rays, they might look very different to one another. Birds' feathers reflect UV patterns as well, which is invisible to humans. These patterns help them to detect the health of other birds and attract them to mate.
Bees: When human eyes sees flower, it's just another simple thing with beauty, ofcourse. But flowers have UV markings that signal landing guides to bees. Flowers have arrows and targets that show where nectar is. Which is why, bees can find food so efficiently.
Fish: UV vision help fish to spot prey and to avoid predators to protect themselves. Some fish even use UV patterns to communicate secretly.
Colours Beyond Human Vision
Image credit : AI - ChatGPT
Reindeer: They also have UV vision to spot predators against the snow. Snow reflects a lot of UV light, looking bright but urine and fur absorb UV lgiht and they look dark, to human eyes its all the same but reindeer can see the difference and protect themselves.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
FAQs
Ans: Cats and dogs are colour blind
Q2. What color is grass to a dog?
Ans: brownish-yellow
Q3. Can dogs see TV?
Ans: Yes, dogs can see TV