If you’ve ever wondered how animals view the world, this video should satisfy your curiosity. It shows how five different animals — cats, dogs, rats, hawks and bees — see the world.
A simulation created by the French 3D design company Dassault Systèmes, it was overseen by veterinary ophthalmologist Didier Schmidt-Morand. New Scientist explains what you can see:
Hawks have more detailed vision than ours, whereas dogs are better at seeing movement and have a wider field of view. “We used virtual cameras to precisely simulate larger viewing angles but the result made people nauseous,” says Schmidt-Morand. “So we tweaked the model to give a sense of the wider view without sticking to reality.”
The rat’s view also departs from reality: because they are near-sighted, everything more than 15 centimetres away is a blur, so they typically move close to walls to help them navigate. “A rat would never throw itself into the middle of an open area,” says Schmidt-Morand. The simulation for this animal is supplemented with a map in the top right corner to help determine the rat’s position: because of their limited eyesight, most landmarks are obscured.
The simulation is actually part of an educational game, and it’s hoped it will become a resource for schools. Regardless, it give a fascinating glimpse into what it’s like to be an animal. Enjoy! [New Scientist]