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Rat vision: the science and the numbers

Rattus rattus · order Rodentia · Mammals: all the numbers

The rat has 2 colour receptor classes (359.5 and 522 nm), one of them in the ultraviolet.[1][2] Both eyes see the same 50° in front of it.[8]

See it on your photoBack to How does the rat see?
  • 2colour receptor classesMeasured
  • 50°seen by both eyesMeasured

The rat (Rattus rattus) is a mammal in the order Rodentia. Its eyes belong to the vision type Small prey mammal (UV): two or three cone types, often including ultraviolet, low sharpness and a near-panoramic field. Measured in this species: colour, field of view and night vision. Measured core: measured values on at least 3 of the 6 dials.

This is a simulation built from published eye measurements, not what the animal experiences.

Method: How we know what animals see (the See Like Animals vision engine) · Sources · Last updated . Every value below carries its evidence level and sources; nothing is typed by hand.

What the rat sees: colour receptors

Rat colour receptor peaks, 300 to 700 nmRat: 2 receptor peaks at 359.5, 522 nm; you: 3 at 421.5, 532, 558.4 nm. ultraviolet300400500600700
Rat: 359.5, 522 nmPeople: 421.5, 532, 558.4 nmWavelength in nanometres

What stands out

  • It has two colour receptor classes (a dichromat): reds and greens fall on one axis, as in red-green colour blindness in people.
  • Both eyes see the same 50° in front of it (binocular overlap), where depth is judged best.
  • Activity pattern: nocturnal.

The six dials

Evidence levels: how the tiers work. "Measured" means a value measured in this species; "Estimated" values come from a close relative or an eye-size formula. The last column gives the values for people from the same catalogue.

Vision values for the rat (Rattus rattus), catalogue-v1
DialValueEvidenceSourcesPeople
ColourColour receptors
2 receptor classes: 359.5 nm (UVS), 522 nm (MWS (green))
measured in this species
Measured[1][2]Colour receptors: 3 receptor classes: 421.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 532 nm (MWS (green)), 558.4 nm (LWS (long)) Measured (not re-verified)[1][3][4][5]
Ultraviolet
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet		Measured
SharpnessAcuity
1.5 cycles per degree
median of 1 relatives in genus Rattus: Rattus norvegicus
Estimated[6][7]Acuity: 63.75 cycles per degree Measured[6][7]
Field of viewBinocular overlap
50°
median of 1 rows (eyes-at-rest rows preferred)
Measured[8]Binocular overlap: 122.5° Measured[8][9]
Total field of view: 200° Measured (not re-verified)[10]
Blind area behind the head: 160° Derived[10]
Eye placement: frontal Derived[8][9]
Sharp zones (foveas)Number of foveas
0
median of 1 relatives in genus Rattus: Rattus norvegicus
Estimated[11]Number of foveas: 1 Measured[11]
Fovea type: fovea Measured[11]
Fovea type
horizontal streak		Estimated[11]
Night visionActivity pattern
nocturnal
mode of 5 rows (of 5 rows): cathemeral; nocturnal; scotopic
Measured (not re-verified)[12][1][13][14][15]Activity pattern: diurnal Measured (not re-verified)[16][17][12][1][13][18][14][15]
Pupil shape: vertical Group default[19][20]
Reflective layer (tapetum): no Measured[21]
Rods vs cones: cone-dominated Derived[16][17][12][1][13][18][14][15]
Rods vs cones
rod-dominated
nocturnal -> rod-dominated; crepuscular / cathemeral / mixed -> mixed; diurnal -> cone-dominated
Derived[12][1][13][14][15]
Motion (flicker fusion)Flicker fusion frequency
51 Hz
median of 1 relatives in genus Rattus: Rattus norvegicus
Estimated[22]Flicker fusion frequency: 60 Hz Measured[23][24]

All mammals side by side: Mammals: every measurement. Method: how we know what animals see.

Sources

  1. Longcore 2023
  2. VPOD in-vivo (MSP / single-cell) lambda… 2025
  3. Kirwan
  4. Müller et al. 2009
  5. Thermal Activation and Photoactivation of Visual… 2004
  6. Kirk et al. 2004
  7. Veilleux et al. 2014
  8. Heesy 2004
  9. Heffner et al. 1992
  10. Campbell & Green 1965
  11. Kopania et al. 2025
  12. Wilman et al. 2014
  13. Maor et al. 2017
  14. Schmitz et al. 2011
  15. Moura et al. 2024
  16. Anderson et al. 2017
  17. Borges et al. 2018
  18. Jones et al. 2009
  19. Banks et al. 2015
  20. Cervino et al. 2021
  21. Guareschi et al. 2025
  22. Lafitte et al. 2022
  23. Healy et al. 2013
  24. Inger et al. 2014

Every value cites its sources (all sources). Values were extracted from these works and converted (units, medians, derived values); changes are ours, and the listed sources do not endorse this site. Data: catalogue-v1, built 2026-09-29. Accuracy notes: how accurate is this? Method: how we know.