The red eye shine seen in these alligators arises when light enters the eye and hits a layer of cells called the tapetum lucidum. This membrane is located beneath the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina and reflects light back into these cells to increase the amount of light detected, which improves an alligator’s vision in low light conditions.
Several species exhibit this phenomenon, with different colour ‘shines’ observed. Most species with eyeshine are night hunters who must make use of limited light.
When a bowerbird bachelor is ready to mate, he builds a nest-like structure called a bower, which he decorates with flowers, shells, stones, and other eye-catching baubles (including litter!) in order to attract a female. There are 20 bowerbird species, and 17 build mating bowers, each in a different style. The satin bowerbird (pictured) favors blue accents, while the great bowerbird prefers white and green. Some species will even catch and kill colorful beetles just to adorn their pied-à-terre.