Fun fact: Why dog’s eyes glow in the dark

Have you ever noticed how dogs’ eyes glow in the dark? Although this can be unsettling when it catches you off-guard, there’s actually a reason for this – “Tapetum Lucidum.”

This translates from Latin to “bright tapestry,” and is the term for the light-reflecting surface in the dog’s eye, between the optic nerve and retina. Light is reflected through the eyes, which improves the function of the rods and cones.

This is what gives dogs, and other animals with Tapetum Lucidum, the ability to see in dark conditions.