The eye of a Nile crocodile. The eye is highly efficient at night; by day the pupil narrows to a slit. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a Burgundy snail. The snail's eye, a more sophisticated version of that of the nautilus mollusk, works rather like the aperture of a pinhole camera. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a southern ground-hornbill. The bird has remarkably long, wiry eyelashes. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a peacock mantis shrimp is one of the most complex in the animal kingdom. It enables exact calculation of distance and can perceive ultra-violet and polarized light. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a spiny starfish. A red fleck at the tip of each of the starfish's arms is a concentration of sensory cells that allows light-dark perception. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eyes of a giant Asian mantis. In addition to its compound eyes, the mantis has three small ocelli – simple eyes used primarily as light sensors, which probably assist with stability in flight. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a blue macaw is surrounded by a featherless golden rim. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a nautilus mollusk. The lens-less pupil works rather like the aperture of a pinhole camera. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a dragonfly. Made up of some 28,000 units, the dragonfly's compound eye allows simultaneous vision through 360°. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a veiled chameleon. Chameleons' eyes work independently of each other, allowing the animal to look ahead and behind at the same time. They can also rotate through 90° vertically and 180° horizontally. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a red-eyed tree frog. The frog is active at night, and during the day covers its bright red eyes with a golden membrane that allows in just enough light for the animal to detect the movement of any possible predator. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

The eye of a jumping spider. The spider's eight eyes facilitate exceptional spatial and focusing abilities as it hunts its prey. As different species have adapted to meet specific needs and inhabit varied environments, the eye has evolved with an extraordinary diversity of specialization.

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