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Binocular

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Binocular

Owls have binocular vision.

Photo © Graham Tomlin / Shutterstock.
Definition: The term binocular refers to a type of vision that arises from the ability of an animal to view an object with both eyes at the same time. Since the view from each eye is slightly different (due to the eyes being positioned at different locations on the animal's head), animals with binocular vision perceive depth with great precision.

Binocular vision is often characteristic of predator species such as hawks, owls, cats, and snakes. Binocular vision offers predators precise visual information needed to spot and capture their prey. In contrast, many prey species have eyes positioned on either side of their head. They lack binocular vision but instead have a wide field of view that helps them spot aproaching predators.

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