Scallops Have Eyes (all 200) on You!

Scallop eyes are one of the many wonders in the sea that scientists continue to work to understand. Depending on the species, some scallops can have up to 200 small eyes all around their bodies. Scallop eyes are set up pretty differently than our own. As light enters into the scallop eye, it passes through the pupil, a lens, two retinas, and then reaches a mirror made of crystals of guanine at the back of the eye. The curved mirror reflects the light onto the interior surface of the retinas, which in turn creates the image for the scallop. The structure of a scallop's eye is compared to the set up of an advanced telescope! Who would have thought such a small little creature could have such a complex vision system!