* Multiple Lenses: Instead of a single lens like humans, crab eyes have thousands of tiny individual lenses, called ommatidia. Each ommatidium is like a miniature eye, capable of detecting light and color.
* Mosaic Vision: Each ommatidium sees a small portion of the world, and the brain combines all these individual images to create a larger, mosaic-like picture.
* Wide Field of View: This type of eye gives crabs a very wide field of view, allowing them to see almost everything around them. They can even see behind them!
* Motion Detection: Compound eyes are particularly good at detecting movement, which is important for spotting predators and prey.
* Color Vision: Some crabs have color vision, while others see in shades of gray.
* Sensitivity to Polarized Light: Many crabs can see polarized light, which is light that vibrates in a specific direction. This allows them to navigate using the sun's position, even on cloudy days.
Here are some interesting facts about crab vision:
* Different species see differently: The number of ommatidia and the sensitivity to light vary between different crab species.
* Eye Stalks: Many crabs have their eyes on stalks, which they can move independently to get a better view of their surroundings.
* Blind Crabs: Some crabs, like the cave-dwelling crabs, are blind due to their environment.
Overall, crab vision is highly adapted to their aquatic and often complex environment. Their compound eyes provide them with the ability to see a wide range of visual information, helping them navigate, find food, and avoid predators.