What colours can snake see?

Snakes can see color, but not in the same way as humans. While they can distinguish between shades of gray, their color vision is primarily focused on shades of blue and green.

Here's what we know about snake vision and color:

* Rods and cones: Like humans, snakes have photoreceptor cells in their eyes called rods and cones. Rods detect light intensity and help with night vision, while cones are responsible for color perception.

* Limited color spectrum: Snakes have a limited number of cone types, meaning they see a narrower range of colors than humans. Research suggests they are particularly sensitive to blues and greens.

* Purpose of color vision: Snakes use their color vision for various tasks, including:

* Hunting: Some snakes use color vision to distinguish prey against a background.

* Camouflage: Snakes with camouflage coloration benefit from being able to distinguish subtle changes in color to blend in better.

* Thermoregulation: Some snakes use color vision to find sun-warmed spots to regulate their body temperature.

* Mate recognition: Color patterns play a role in mate recognition for some species.

While we know they can distinguish between blues and greens, the exact range of colors they can perceive remains an area of ongoing research. However, it's clear that snakes are not colorblind; they use color vision for various important aspects of their lives.