Human vs. Animal Eye Location

Owls have large, forward-facing eyes.

Every animal species, including homo sapiens, or humans, has evolved eye placement that best ensures its survival. The location of eyes in an animal's body determines how the animal receives visual information. Most animals have eyes that are either on the front of the head or on the side of the head.

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Eye Placement for Predators
- Large and small cats have forward-facing eyes with binocular vision.
  
  Eyes in the front of the head provide binocular vision and excellent depth perception. Most predators, whether birds or mammals, have eyes in the front of the head, allowing them to stalk and chase fleeing prey.
Drawbacks to Front-Facing Eyes
- Stalking kitten cannot see what is behind it.
  
  Animals with eyes in the front of the head have large blind spots and limited peripheral vision, making it easy to sneak up behind them.
Eye Placement for Prey Animals
- Deer watch for predators while grazing.
  
  An animal with eyes in the side of its head has a wide range of vision. Most herbivorous prey animals have eyes in the side of their heads, allowing them to see predators on all sides while grazing.
Drawbacks to Side-Facing Eyes
- Rabbits probably have a blind spot directly in front of their noses.
  
  Eyes in the side of the head often create a blind spot directly in front of the animal. A good sense of smell helps to overcome this handicap. Depth perception is poor.
Animal Examples
- Placement of human eyes enable them to be good hunters.
  
  Predators with forward-facing eyes include wolves, cats, humans, hawks and owls. Prey animals with side-facing eyes include deer, rabbits, rodents and most small birds.
Other Eye Locations
- Crocodles and alligators have eyes on top of the heads.
  
  Crocodiles and alligators have eyes on top of the head, allowing them to stalk prey while keeping their bodies submerged and hidden.

Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of John Haslam Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Art G. Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Paul Reynolds Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Koshy Koshy Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hamed Masoumi Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of gcardinal

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Human vs. Animal Eye Location

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Eye Placement for Predators

Drawbacks to Front-Facing Eyes

Eye Placement for Prey Animals

Drawbacks to Side-Facing Eyes

Animal Examples

Other Eye Locations

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