Did you know that some animals have ‘natural sunglasses’ to help them see on a bright day? These sunglasses help animals find prey or hide from predators.
Good vision is so important to animals, whether they are predators or prey. During bright, sunny days the glare from the sun can make it difficult to see. Personally, I can’t walk out of the house without my sunglasses on because it is too bright. Some animals have what I like to think of as ‘natural sunglasses’ to help them see.
What Does The Black Patch or ‘Natural Sunglasses’ Do?
Some athletes will put a black mark or patch under their eye when they are playing on a sunny day. Baseball and football players often will have the black marks to help reduce the glare from the sun and help them see better. For athletes the little bit of help may make the difference between winning and losing.
Animals can’t make a black mark on their face or put on sunglasses like people can. Instead they have a black patch around their eyes that serves the same purpose.
What Animals Have Some Form of ‘Natural Sunglasses’?
There are many animals that have some kind of ‘natural sunglasses’ to help them see. Some of these animals live in the Rocky Mountains, but most of them live in places that are often bright and sunny.
Rocky Mountain Animals
A mountain lion or cougar with its natural sunglasses.
Mountain Lion – mountain lions have the black eye patch that runs from the inside of the eye towards the nose.
Non-Rocky Mountains Animals
Cheetahs – cheetahs have a black tear drop that runs from the inside of their eye down to the outside edges of their mouth.
Meerkats – meerkats have a black patch around their eye.
Arctic Hare – do not have black patches around eyes, but do have black eyelashes that help with the sun’s glare.
These are just a few of the animals that have the black patch or eyelash around their eyes to help them reduce the glare of the sun. Can you think of any other animals that have something that helps them see on a bright, sunny day?