{"id":38230,"date":"2024-05-13T12:03:48","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T10:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/d7b577b7-3192-4e19-b2ae-fd46364e0dcb"},"modified":"2024-05-13T12:35:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T10:35:38","slug":"why-do-cats-have-three-eyelids","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/why-do-cats-have-three-eyelids\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do cats have three eyelids?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why do cats, and other animals, have a third eyelid yet humans don’t? Stuart Blackman explains <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Monday, 13 May 2024 at 10:03 AM<\/p>

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Do cats have three eyelids?<\/h2>
C<\/strong>ats do indeed possess a third eyelid, which can sometimes be glimpsed when a pet wakes or yawns. The nictitating membrane (or palpebra tertia<\/em>, as it is formally known), lies behind the other two and sweeps horizontally across the eye.<\/p>

Why do cats have three eyelids?<\/h2>
It\u2019s not only cats that are blessed with this ocular equipment. Nictitating membranes are the norm among birds and mammals as well as some fish and reptiles, providing additional physical protection for the delicate cornea, and helping to lubricate and clean the eyeballs. They may be translucent to allow partial vision even when closed.<\/p>
How can I stop my cat hunting wildlife?<\/a><\/li>
How we domesticated the cat<\/a><\/li>
What\u2019s the world’s smallest cat? Meet the tiny felines barely bigger than a ruler<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Why did we lose our third eyelid?<\/h2>
Humans and most other primates<\/a> lack a third eyelid – functional nictitating membrane -perhaps because we tend to lead with our hands rather than our faces when exploring the world, making our eyes less vulnerable. All that remains of our own are the fleshy, triangular bumps that sit in our eyes\u2019 inner corners. <\/p>
Main image: lioness eyes \u00a9 Getty images<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Do cats have three eyelids?<\/h2>C<\/strong>ats do indeed possess a third eyelid, which can sometimes be glimpsed when a pet wakes or yawns. The nictitating membrane (or palpebra tertia<\/em>, as it is formally known), lies behind the other two and sweeps horizontally across the eye.<\/p>

Do cats have three eyelids?<\/h2>
C<\/strong>ats do indeed possess a third eyelid, which can sometimes be glimpsed when a pet wakes or yawns. The nictitating membrane (or palpebra tertia<\/em>, as it is formally known), lies behind the other two and sweeps horizontally across the eye.<\/p>