Tetrachromacy

There are three kinds of color receptors that most humans have, meaning they can see up to 32 colors. People with three types of color receptors make for about 50% of the world’s population. People with tetrachromacy, though, convey color information through four different channels and can see up to 39 colors.

Tetrachromats are highly sensitive to different shades of reds, greens, and blues, as well as ultra-violet light. This condition—or special ability—is more prevalent in animals than humans, and more common in women than men. An estimated 12% of all women have tetrachromacy.