what is it?
It is a layer of tissue in the eye of many vertebrates.
Tapetum lucidum
The tapetum lucidum (; from Latin for "bright tapestry; coverlet", plural tapeta lucida) is a layer of tissue in the eye of many vertebrates.
where did the term 9 lives come from It is a myth in many cultures, cats have multiple lives as they exhibit the natural suppleness and swiftness to escape life-threatening situations. how are they classified? The domestic cat is regarded as a distinct species, "Felis catus". can they see in darkness? Yes, they have excellent night vision. what helps them do so? This is partly the result of cat eyes having a tapetum lucidum.
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Tapetum lucidum [SEP] Introduction
The tapetum lucidum (; from Latin for "bright tapestry; coverlet", plural tapeta lucida) is a layer of tissue in the eye of many vertebrates. Lying immediately behind the retina, it is a retroreflector. It reflects visible light back through the retina, increasing the light available to the photoreceptors (although slightly blurring the image). The tapetum lucidum contributes to the superior night vision of some animals. Many of these animals are nocturnal, especially carnivores, while others are deep sea animals. Similar adaptations occur in some species of spiders. Haplorhine primates, including humans, are diurnal and lack a "tapetum lucidum".