Sight in Cattle
The sight of cattle has become of increasing interest to farmers, animal welfare experts, and others whom are interested in promoting low stress environments for them to live in. The way cattle see their surroundings affects how they perceive and respond to them. From the studies that have been conducted, farmers, and other handlers of cattle, have been able to develop environments and handling procedures which take into account the way the cattle will perceive them.
It is known that cattle have a high rod to cone ratio. This allows them to have good vision in low light but low clarity of sight overall. Research has also shown cattle to have relatively poor color vision. This is because they are dichromats with cones that are sensitive light that is yellowish-green and blue purple. It is believed this makes darks look darker and light colors look lighter, which would cause cattle to be sensitive to sudden or unexpected movement of objects. The picture below depicts what a bull might see with their dichromatic vision.
The sight of cattle has become of increasing interest to farmers, animal welfare experts, and others whom are interested in promoting low stress environments for them to live in. The way cattle see their surroundings affects how they perceive and respond to them. From the studies that have been conducted, farmers, and other handlers of cattle, have been able to develop environments and handling procedures which take into account the way the cattle will perceive them.
It is known that cattle have a high rod to cone ratio. This allows them to have good vision in low light but low clarity of sight overall. Research has also shown cattle to have relatively poor color vision. This is because they are dichromats with cones that are sensitive light that is yellowish-green and blue purple. It is believed this makes darks look darker and light colors look lighter, which would cause cattle to be sensitive to sudden or unexpected movement of objects. The picture below depicts what a bull might see with their dichromatic vision.
Nigh Vision
Like dogs, and other species of animals, to improve their night vision, cattle have a layer called tapetum behind the retina in their eyes. This highly reflective layer causes light to be reflected back through the retina, causing their eyes to glow in the dark.
Like dogs, and other species of animals, to improve their night vision, cattle have a layer called tapetum behind the retina in their eyes. This highly reflective layer causes light to be reflected back through the retina, causing their eyes to glow in the dark.
Field of Vision
Cattle have a very large field of vision, as shown in the figure below. With eyes placed on the sides of the head, they are able to see 330° around their body. However, cattle have a narrower vertical field of vision than humans, which only spans 60°, versus our 140° vertical field of vision. Their eyes are positioned so they can see straight in front of them and down toward the ground, allowing them to see where they are walking and eating.
Cattle have a very large field of vision, as shown in the figure below. With eyes placed on the sides of the head, they are able to see 330° around their body. However, cattle have a narrower vertical field of vision than humans, which only spans 60°, versus our 140° vertical field of vision. Their eyes are positioned so they can see straight in front of them and down toward the ground, allowing them to see where they are walking and eating.
Depth Perception
As a result of having a very wide field of vision, cattle also have poor Binocular Vision, which is depicted in the figure below. This is because the field which both eyes are able to see is only about 20°-30° wide. Since binocular vision is very important to depth perception, cattle have poor depth perception. To compensate for this, cattle walk with a slight bob of the head to improve their depth perception.
As a result of having a very wide field of vision, cattle also have poor Binocular Vision, which is depicted in the figure below. This is because the field which both eyes are able to see is only about 20°-30° wide. Since binocular vision is very important to depth perception, cattle have poor depth perception. To compensate for this, cattle walk with a slight bob of the head to improve their depth perception.