do rats see in pitch darkness?

[look 171]

How?

I went to help out an old client today to gain access to the motor on their whirlpool tub. I used a piece of Velcro and color caulking to secure a large piece of granite to keep things legal with building code and future serviceability. The owner did not want roughneck motor repair man fcuking up the stone due to the tight tolerance. Lucky me ( I was happy to do it because they are very nice folks). After 30 min. of screwing around, I finally got the stone and all other boards back there out only to find a whole bunch of snail shells and a lot of rat poo. That rat bastard stepped on the plug and loosened it so there is no contact. The poor repair man had to deal with it. On my way home I was thinking how does that rat see in pitch darkness? It must be a French mouse. Well, I do know that much, the owner's French descent.

[Bill Douglas]

Maybe they can't. Mr. Rat came home drunk and tripped over the power cord, pulling the plug out.

[sc_rufctr]

Lots of mammals including Rats can see in the dark much better than we can. But in total darkness? No. That's the realm of the bat.
But Mr Rat has whiskers so he would be able to feel his way around.

Incidentally... Big cats like Lions and Tigers can see almost perfectly in very little light.
............... Something to think about the next time your sleeping in the bush in Africa.

[Tervuren]

Whiskers and sense of direction.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Whiskers and sense of direction.

Whiskers, sense of direction, and sense of smell.

As posted, no creature can see, with eyes, in total darkness as the optic nerve is only stimulated by light from retinal receptors.

[rwest]

It is also highly unlikely that there isn't some light finding its way under the tub; lots of wires and pipes coming and going, good chance some light is making it in there.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by rwest

It is also highly unlikely that there isn't some light finding its way under the tub; lots of wires and pipes coming and going, good chance some light is making it in there.

I suppose its that way during the day? thinking about it now, rats hunt during the evening and hang out and enjoy escargot during lunch.

[gamin]

Rats actually have poor eyesight. Other senses highly developed, hearing, smell, touch.

[Tilikum Turbo]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Whiskers, sense of direction, and sense of smell.

As posted, no creature can see, with eyes, in total darkness as the optic nerve is only stimulated by light from retinal receptors.

Human sense of 'light' is in a very narrow bandwidth...about 400 to 700 NM

Every object above absolute zero radiates energy in the bandwidth of some light...it's just the ability to 'see' that bandwidth, or like some animals project beams of giving frequencies and wait for the response(not unlike a radar-gun).

I've heard dolphins can see tumors inside of human...whacked stuff.

[craigster59]

My eyes have problems seeing in dim light, but my little toe, it can find a table leg in total darkness no problem.

[Joe Bob]

My ex can....

[kidrock]

"Do rats see in pitch darkness?"

I'm pretty sure Jerry Marks only works during daylight hours.