Can apes see in the dark?

Apes, like humans, are diurnal animals, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. This is because they have limited night vision. While they can see better in low light than humans, they are not able to see well in complete darkness.

Here's why:

* Rods and Cones: The retinas of apes, like humans, contain two types of light-sensitive cells called rods and cones. Rods are responsible for vision in low light, while cones are responsible for color vision.

* Rods and Night Vision: While apes have rods, they don't have as many as nocturnal animals, which is why they don't have exceptional night vision.

* Tapetum Lucidum: Many nocturnal animals have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum behind the retina. This layer reflects light back through the retina, increasing the amount of light that the rods can absorb. Apes lack this layer.

Therefore, while apes can see in dim light, they are not able to see well in complete darkness. They rely on their other senses, such as hearing and smell, to navigate at night.