Do mantis shrimp actually see more colors than humans?

However lets us back up a bit and discuss the basics of mantis shrimp vision because it is so interesting. Mantis shrimp are able too see 12–16 colors depending on the species. By comparison, humans are only able to see three: red, green and blue. Some birds and other animals can see one more color: ultraviolet light. read more

Mantis shrimp are able too see 12–16 colors depending on the species. By comparison, humans are only able to see three: red, green and blue. Some birds and other animals can see one more color: ultraviolet light. read more

Even more so when topped off with a level of color vision we humans would envy. Learning that mantis shrimp color vision isn't the most incredible ever would be like learning that the blue whale isn't actually the largest organism on earth—and that it's just been wearing a fat suit to trick us all this time. We feel a little cheated. read more

Despite their 12 photoreceptors, mantis shrimps are worse at telling apart different colours than humans, honeybees and butterflies. “Thoen is a very careful scientist, so the data are completely convincing, if quite surprising,” says Tom Cronin from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who studies mantis shrimp vision. read more