ABSTRACT

In order to gain deeper insight into how diverse animals experience the world, we need a thorough understanding of their sensory and perceptual experiences. This chapter provides a general overview of sensation and perception across phylogenetically diverse species. It reviews the diversity of sensory and perceptual systems both within and among species, and highlights how these systems have evolved to meet specific needs that enhance survival and reproduction. It also describes how attention interacts with these sensory and perceptual systems so that animals can focus on relevant information.