![]() “However, this hypothesis does not explain why slits are either vertical or horizontal. “For species that are active both night and day, like domestic cats, slit pupils provide the dynamic range needed to help them see in dim light yet not get blinded by the midday sun,” says Martin Banks, professor of optometry. The current study builds upon the foundation set by the late Gordon Walls, a professor of optometry at the University of California, Berkeley, who published “The Vertebrate Eye and Its Adaptive Radiation” in 1942 that put forward the theory, generally accepted, that slit-shaped pupils allow for different musculature and a greater range in the amount of light entering the eye.įor example, the vertical slits of domestic cats and geckos undergo a 135- and 300-fold change in area between constricted and dilated states, while humans’ circular pupils undergo a mere 15-fold change. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, present a new hypothesis as to why pupils are shaped and oriented the way they are, researchers say. ![]() Circular pupils are linked to “active foragers,” or animals that chase down their prey. Those with horizontally elongated pupils are extremely likely to be plant-eating prey species with eyes on the sides of their heads. Species with pupils that are vertical slits are more likely to be ambush predators that are active both day and night. A new analysis of 214 species of land animals, both prey and predators, offers an explanation for the difference. House cats have pupils that are vertical slits, but bigger cats, like tigers and lions, don’t. Send us feedback about these examples.University University of California, Berkeley These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023 The researchers ran simulations with various ecosystem parameters, featuring higher or lower populations of predators and prey, which determined the number of available carcasses. ![]() Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023 But there can be parts of the zoo where the animal would be considered a predator or prey to the animals that are contained in their habitats. 2023 Small songbirds feed during the day and migrate at night to avoid air turbulence and predators. 2023 The animals typically feed on fruits, seeds, nuts and invertebrates, the zoo added, and their main predators are large birds of prey, jaguars, ocelots and large constrictor snakes. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2023 Imagine a band of prehistoric humans, keeping watch through the night against predators and foes. 2023 Republican governors, attorneys general, lawmakers and conservative policy groups say internet platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snap are undermining conservative family values and preventing parents from protecting their children from harmful content and online predators. 2023 Despite being apex predators, multiple species of sharks and rays also exhibit tonic immobility. ![]() Recent Examples on the Web This erratic action imitates an injured or fleeing baitfish and is great for triggering bass and other predators to bite.
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