Cats have bright eyes: Why is it so?

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Cats are known for their bright and glaring eyes, in rare shades that mesmerize the watcher. Domestic cats have a wide range of eye colours varying from pale blue to hazel, green, shades of yellow, and melting amber. Have you ever wondered why cats have such brightly coloured eyes? Here’s why. 

Pigment linkage to melanin 
Melanin is a term used to describe a large number of molecules responsible for the pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes. The iris of the eye gets its colour from melanin, determining its shade palette. The two layers in the iris contain pigment producing-cells called melanocytes. These cells could be close together or loosely arranged to determine the level of pigmentation. The more melanocytes in a cat's eyes, the darker their colour. When the melanin-producing cells are active, cat-eye shades become more intense. Melanin can have different effects on fur and eyes, a cat with dark fur can have light-coloured eyes and vice versa. The difference in melanin concentration can be judged by the level of reflection and the tint in a cat’s eye. Blue-eyed cats have no melanin in their irises. This is because the refraction of light on the edge of the rounded iris produces blue colour like it would on a clear glass window. In some cases, lower levels of melanin can result in green eyes while the highest levels of melanin can result in copper eyes. 

Breed and eye-colour connection 
The colour of a cat’s eye is a result of their genetic make-up just like the colour of their fur coat. Certain breeds have only one eye colour. Generally, purebred cats have more vivid shades of eye colour compared to cats that do not have a definite pedigree. Cat’s eye colour is a complex blend of genes that can also influence coat colour along with eye colour. 

Interesting facts about cats 

  • Cats are believed to be the only mammals who can’t taste sweet 
  • Cats jump up to six times their length 
  • Cats have 230 bones in their body, while humans have 206 
  • Cats have the largest eyes relative to their head size out of any mammal 
  • The thick, soft padding on their paws allows them to walk without making any noise 
  • Cats live longer when they stay indoors 
  • A cat’s learning style is about the same as a 2-3-year-old child 
  • Cats dream, just like people do 
  • Cats find it threatening when you make direct eye contact with them 

Topics

  • cats
  • Facts
  • Phenomenon