Jul 21, 2025
Preeti GuptaWhile humans see bright wings, butterflies see layered UV patterns that reveal gender, health, and mating readiness. These signals guide their social behavior, helping them recognize suitable mates and avoid rivals in dazzling displays unseen by us.
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In sunlit seas, butterfish detect UV-reflected light to spot prey and move through shimmering marine environments. Their eyes act like fine-tuned filters, helping them read underwater signals invisible to predators and humans alike.
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Sockeye salmon hatch with UV-sensitive eyes to navigate freshwater and hunt plankton. As they move to deeper oceans, they shed UV vision, adapting to changing light. This shift aids their survival in drastically different habitats.
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Living in Arctic snowfields, reindeer use UV vision to detect subtle contrasts invisible to humans—like wolf urine or lichen on snow. Their eyes turn a blinding white world into a readable terrain map for survival and food detection.
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Dragonflies possess compound eyes with up to 30,000 facets, some of which detect UV light. This gives them razor-sharp tracking abilities to spot prey, identify water reflections, and monitor competitors in mid-air duels over territory.
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Scorpions glow neon under UV light thanks to compounds in their shell—but they may also sense UV. This helps them avoid sunlight, track lunar cycles, or detect night-time threats. Scientists use this glow to find them in the wild.
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These small birds use UV signals in feathers to judge health and choose mates. Parents also use UV-reflective chick markings to spot which baby is hungriest, making UV vision a family affair in the treetops of Europe.
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With 16 types of photoreceptors, mantis shrimp see UV and polarized light, decoding complex underwater messages. They use this ultra-vision to hunt, defend territory, and send UV-encoded messages to each other in their colorful coral homes.
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Bumblebees use UV vision to spot "nectar guides"—invisible markings on flowers that point the way to pollen. These hidden UV patterns help bees forage more efficiently and pollinate more effectively, turning fields of blooms into a secret roadmap.
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Pigeons have UV-sensitive cones that help them recognize landmarks and each other. Their feathers reflect UV, aiding social bonding and orientation. This unexpected superpower supports navigation, mate choice, and community life.
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