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2.4 use available evidence to suggest reasons for the differences in range of electromagnetic radiation detected by humans and other animals

use available evidence to suggest reasons for the differences in range of electromagnetic radiation detected by humans and other animals

Here is an example of available evidence.

Color and Acuity Differences between Dogs and Humans (external website) Dr P’s Dog Training .

Type of animal Name of animal Electromagnetic spectrum used Reasons
Vertebrate Human
visible
Active during the day uses colour for perception of objects
Rattlesnake
infra-red and visible
Active at night hunts in dark burrows
Hummingbird
visible
Can detect flowers from over a kilometre away
Invertebrate
Honeybee
ultraviolet and visible
Can detect ultraviolet markings on flowers and uses polarised light for navigation
Mantis shrimp
ultraviolet and visible
Can perceive many more colours and escape predation in the well lit waters were it lives

An appropriate starting point is:

Animal senses (external website) University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Electromagnetic spectrum (external website) Neuroscience for Kids , University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Range of wavelengths of the human eye (external website) York University Canada.

Mantis shrimp (external website) The Lurker, New Jersey, USA.