Animals see UV Light

Humans see only a small portion of the light spectrum that we call “visible light”–perhaps for obvious reasons.

Many animals can detect ultraviolet (UV) light that is completely invisible to us and outside the “visible light” part of the spectrum. Bees use UV patterns on flowers—often called “nectar guides”—to locate pollen and nectar, while many birds rely on UV vision to find food, identify mates, and navigate their environment. Reindeer can even see UV light reflected from snow and ice, helping them spot predators and food in the Arctic. The ability to see ultraviolet light reminds us that different species experience the same world in unique ways.