How many different cones does the eye of the mantis shrimp have?

The mantis shrimp has arguably the most advanced eyes in nature. While humans have three different types of cone cells – which allow us to see red, green, blue, and combinations of these colours, the mantis shrimp has sixteen different types of cone, and six polarisation channels. This allows them to see things that are invisible – and unimaginable – to humans.

Among the things invisible to humans is the polarisation of light: the direction in which waves of light oscillation. Mantis shrimp (and some other marine creatures) are equipped with polarised vision, which allows them to hunt, flee, communicate and navigate.