The Cat's Eye: Slit Pupils, Thin-Film Mirrors, and 135-Fold Dynamic Range

Domestic-cat pupils change area by about 135-fold, and a reflective tapetum sends transmitted light back through the retina. The pupil/ecology link is a comparative correlation; simple multilayer equations illustrate tapetal optics but do not supply cat-specific reflectance or sensitivity values.

23 June 2025 · 6 min · Sebastian Spicker