The Ladies Say I Am Cute
"Elephant seals have large eyes, each with a spherical lens. These specialized lenses help them in absorbing more light in the dark depths. In addition to these lenses, their eyes also contain high numbers of extremely sensitive rod cells called photoreceptors. Helping these rod cells is a mirror-like layer of reflecting plates behind the retina. By reflecting light back through the retina a second time, the light-gathering ability of the rod cells is increased. Their eyes also have a strengthened cornea which is heavily keratinized, and a protective third eyelid called a nictating membrane. This nictating membrane is transparent and moves horizontally across the eye moistening their eyes with an oily liquid. Not only does this membrane protect their eyes underwater by lessening the friction, but it also removes sand and other debris when they're on land. Because elephant seals have no tear ducts, their eyes run more or less continuously when they're ashore." Source: elephantsealnotes/senses Birds have nictating membranes on their eyes, but I did not realize Northern Elephant Seals had them as well until after I took this shot and did some research. Note scratches on his nose from "play fighting" with other juvenile males.
The Ladies Say I Am Cute
"Elephant seals have large eyes, each with a spherical lens. These specialized lenses help them in absorbing more light in the dark depths. In addition to these lenses, their eyes also contain high numbers of extremely sensitive rod cells called photoreceptors. Helping these rod cells is a mirror-like layer of reflecting plates behind the retina. By reflecting light back through the retina a second time, the light-gathering ability of the rod cells is increased. Their eyes also have a strengthened cornea which is heavily keratinized, and a protective third eyelid called a nictating membrane. This nictating membrane is transparent and moves horizontally across the eye moistening their eyes with an oily liquid. Not only does this membrane protect their eyes underwater by lessening the friction, but it also removes sand and other debris when they're on land. Because elephant seals have no tear ducts, their eyes run more or less continuously when they're ashore." Source: elephantsealnotes/senses Birds have nictating membranes on their eyes, but I did not realize Northern Elephant Seals had them as well until after I took this shot and did some research. Note scratches on his nose from "play fighting" with other juvenile males.