What Is The Color Of The Eyes Of Reindeer During Winter
Reindeer eyes change color during the winter, from golden to blue, something researchers say helps them to capture more light during the Arctic's dark winter months. It may sound unbelievable, but reindeer eyes change from a blazing gold in the summer to a deep, dark blue in the winter. However, this isn't the kind of color change you might expect, as it usually can't be seen in most photographs.
So, what exactly is happening? Read on to discover why reindeer eyes change color and how this adaptation benefits them in the wild. Why Reindeer Eyes Change Color with the Seasons: Reindeer Eye Color Mystery Solved Reindeer, also known as caribou in North America, inhabit some of the coldest and darkest parts of our planet. These remarkable creatures face months of near.
Arctic Reindeer Eyes
During the long winter, reindeer's eyes are permanently dilated to try and see as much as possible in the dark conditions of the Arctic circle where some parts get little sunlight for up to six. Reindeer change the color of a reflective layer in their eyes between summer and winter to deal with months. Reindeer don't have red noses, but their eyes do turn green to blue in the winter.
Scientists are finally figuring out why. Reindeer "adapt" their eye structure to better find food and escape predators during the long, dark months of winter, scientists say. On Christmas Eve, a group of reindeer 'fly' across the sky, dragging Santa Claus and his sleigh full of presents.
Arctic Reindeer Eyes
Our study compared the eyes of reindeer that died during summer to specimens from reindeer that died in the winter. It showed that reindeer eyes undergo a unique seasonal change in its tapetum and change color, reflecting gold. Why do reindeer's eyes change color with the seasons? In this video, Alex Dainis explains why reindeer eyes change color from orange-gold in the summer to blue in the winter.
This change allows them to UV light in the winter time, which might seem counterintuitive because of their bright, snowy habitat. However, the reindeers' food source is a light colored lichen that absorbs UV. Reindeers, like many mammals, inherit their eye color from their parents, and this trait remains consistent throughout their lives.
What color are reindeer eyes? Depends on the season. | National Geographic
The summer and winter tapetum colour compared with environmental light with the Sun above and below the horizon. The left of the image shows the tapeta taken from reindeer (a) in summer and (b) in winter.
