Do reindeer's eyes really change color? If so, why, and how does this adaptation actually work 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. Dive into the science behind the tapetum lucidum, the special part of their eyes responsible for this amazing color change.
Don't miss this extraordinary look into the world of reindeer! 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. 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. Reindeer don't have red noses, but their eyes do turn green to blue in the winter. Scientists are finally figuring out why.
Why do reindeer's eyes change color with the seasons? In this video, Alex Dainis explains why reindeer eyes change color from orange. Reindeer, or caribou in North America, have an incredibly unique genetic adaption to help them see better regardless of season or light condition. In the summertime, reindeer can be seen sporting a set of golden eyes, while in winter, they are a striking blue.
The tapetum is the reason why cat or raccoon eyes look strangely reflective at night. So why does the reindeer tapetum turn blue in winter? The answer probably has to do with maximizing light absorption in the blue and sub-blue range - during the long, dark twilight hours of winter. So: as reindeer spend months of darkness, their permanently dilated pupils lead to swollen eyes, compressing the fibres in their tapetum and changing the colour of light they reflect.