Common across different species, green eyes show expressivity in animals. Green nuances on animals vary from bright to dark green.
Olive-green and yellow-green nuances are also highly common across different species, from bees to dogs.
Some animals, such as certain dog breeds, can even have one green eye while the other one can have another color.
Some animals can also change their eye color as they mature.
Most animals with green eyes have green eyes throughout their lives. These are often long lives, such as in the case of dogs that may live up to 18 years.
Here are some of the most representative species and their exact green-eye nuances.
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1. Green-eyed Flower Bee
The Green-eyed Flower Bee (Anthophora bimaculata) is named after the large bright green eyes of the species. Olive nuances are specific to its eyes and are further characterized by brightness, together with the rest of its body.
A bright yellow hairy body is also specific to these bees. The narrower Green-eyed Flower Bee is further identified as a male.
Both males and females show yellow and black bodies with black banding specific to the abdomen.
An important pollinator in North Africa and across Europe, the bees’ eyes can be distinguished when collecting pollen from various plants and flowers such as asters.
These types of worker bees are further spotted on the ground, where they dig their nests to retreat to at the end of the day.
Some of these nests may be covered with a thin layer of vegetation for extra protection.
Green nuance – bright olive
2. Large Forest Gecko
Its large green eyes and distinctive calls are some of the main traits that make The Large Forest Gecko (Gekko smithii) stand out.
Living in Southeast Asia forests, this is a type of large climbing lizard with dark green eyes that show a vertical bright stripe and bright green margins.
The main color of the species is also a type of dark green and gray, with additional brown patterns and white dots across the dorsum.
This is also a type of lizard that makes sounds known as calls.
Various types of calls are produced by the species which is often heard in forests rather than seen as both the color of its eyes and the color of its body help it camouflage itself on trees.
While not easily spotted, this is a species that’s facing a diminishing habitat and considerable population reductions.
A common sight across different forests, the species is now absent from many of its traditional locations such as Singapore forests.
Green nuance – dark green
3. Green-eyed Tree Frog
Named after their large green eyes, these types of frogs (Ranoidea serrata) are found at different altitudes, including up monotonous streams.
Often spotted with bright green skin, these frogs also have bright green eyes.
The species is abundant in the tropical forests of Australia where it is also known as a quiet frog due to its almost muted calls.
Green-eyed Tree Frogs come in different colors and their skin secretions make them taste bad to a range of predators.
These secretions or chemicals in the skin may prove to have medical importance, on the other hand,
Green-eyed Tree Frogs are currently studied for their ability to fight viruses and bacteria.
To some extent, these benefits could be transmitted to humans.
One of the challenges with the species, apart from the medical research itself, is its diminishing numbers over the past few decades.
Green nuance – variable
4. Dragonhunter
Dragonhunters (Hagenius brevistylus) have very large bright green eyes that dominate their faces.
These types of dragonflies are named after they tend to eat other species of dragonflies. They even hunt some of the largest species of butterflies in North America.
Dragonhunters are dominated by yellow and black nuances, with the eyes being their only green part.
Still, the eyes of the species tend to stand out both due to their color and their positioning.
These large eyes cover most of the face but are spaced out towards the outer edges of the head for better field vision.
They also stand out due to the green color as opposed to the mostly yellow (and black) face.
The uniform green color is mostly specific to the eyes. Gradient green to white colors are also seen in its eyes.
Their thorax and long bodies are dominated by black and yellow nuances while the wings are mostly transparent.
Green nuance – bright green
5. Great Pondhawk
Raw green eyes are characteristic of the US and Mexico native Great Pondhawk (Erythemis vesiculosa).
This is a species that shows mostly green and black coloring, with males showing green eyes while females show brown-green eyes.
Found along different stretches of water, this is a species that may be spotted in different states, but its highest numbers are recorded in Texas and Florida.
The dragonfly is among the few dragonflies dominated by green nuances both on its body and on its eyes.
The species shows bright green nuances that mimic the green nuances of the water vegetation they often rest on.
Unlike many other dragonflies, Great Pondhawks rarely stand out on vegetation based on their green coloring. Even more, these fliers have transparent wings which may make them even more difficult to spot.
Green nuance – raw green
6. Green-eyed Horse Fly
The eyes of Green-eyed Horse Flies (Tabanus fulvulus) come in green, yellow-green, yellow, and brown. These are large compound eyes covering most of their heads.
As with typical horse flies, Green-eyed Horse Flies can bite. However, as with horse flies, it’s only the female Green-eyed Horse Fly that can bite while males don’t bite.
You may want to stay away from both males and females, easily identifiable by their green body.
However, you may distinguish males from females by an existing or lacking space between the eyes.
Males’ eyes don’t have a gap and it may be an indication the fly is not about to bite.
Even spotting these flies is rare, since they prefer moist woodlands in warm climates.
This is why many of these flies are found in warmer states such as Florida.
Favoring high-humidity areas, the flies lay larvae on damp soil in or around woodlands.
Multiple broods per year are specific to Texas and Florida, states where the Green-eyed Horse Fly is present regardless of the season.
Green nuance – metallic green
7. Green-eyed Frog
These types of frogs (Lithobates vibicarius) are known for having a distinct green circle around their dark eyes.
It’s not yet known if this green margin around the eyes has some type of purpose. However, it’s not unique to Green-eyed Frogs as it’s also spotted on different other frogs.
The overall color of the species is gray-green or gray-brown with or without patterns.
The species also comes in an overall bright green color with brown spots and marks across the dorsum.
Young Green-eyed Frogs may even lack the green circle around the eyes and they may come in earthy tones, without any green skin sections.
Reaching a size of up to 2.8 inches, these types of variable color frogs are known for living in the humid forests of Australia.
Frogs of the species are quiet compared to other calling frogs. They are known for calling early in the season, up until May.
Green nuance – bright green
8. Green-eye Dancing Shrimp
Shrimps of this species (Cinetorhynchus reticulatus) are known for their large green eyes (black, on occasion). This is the only green part of the body.
Red dominates the appearance of The green-eye Dancing Shrimp.
From the basic red to rust-red, the shrimp comes with dots or different white patterns as an adult.
Its pale salmon color is specific to its young days, a period the shrimp also shows white bands in.
Green-eye Dancing Shrimp darken to a dark red nuance as they mature.
Their color is not variable and the shrimp can be found in high numbers in The Red Sea.
While they may occur elsewhere, it’s here that the shrimp find plenty of algae to feed on.
As with other green-eyed species such as Green-eyed Frogs, The Green-eye Dancing Shrimp reaches a size between 2 and 3 inches.
Green nuance – bright green
9. Green-eyed Bush Frog
Similar to the range of Green-eyed frogs of Australia, this (Raorchestes chlorosomma) is a species that shows green rings around the eyes.
However, this species is only found in India where its numbers are rapidly declining.
The Green-Eyed Bush Frog is a species that only lives in certain habitats such as tree plantations.
The size and number of these plantations are diminishing. More frequent use of machinery on these plantations also drives these frogs away.
More frequently, the plantations of acacia shrubs, a common home to The Green-Eyed Bush Frog are also facing a similar future.
Grasslands and woodlands may be alternative habitats for the species, but their numbers are still declining across the subcontinent.
Green nuance – bright green
10. Yellow Fly
Mostly yellow, this fly (Diachlorus ferrugatus) has dark green eyes with slight iridescence.,
Not seen throughout most US states, the species is prevalent in Southern and Eastern states.
Even more, the female Yellow Fly is known to inflict painful bites. The female of the species is particularly hungry as a blood meal is needed to lay eggs.
Florida is one of the states where these flies have longer flight seasons and where bites occur more often.
Apart from biting, the female is also known for being aggressive. Its aggression has even placed the female Yellow Flies on the list of highly aggressive insects.
An occasional problem indoors, The Yellow Fly may be kept away by using typical insect and bug spray or by adding mesh screens to windows and they may be attracted to light.
Yellow flies aren’t as likely to be active at night as other biting flies of Florida as they prefer to be active during the day, especially in the evening.
Green nuance – dark green
11. Giant Ragweed Fruit Fly
A species feeding on giant ragweed, these flies (Euaresta festiva) come with large bright green eyes. Their eyes additionally show yellow spots with a green-dominant gradient.
The head of the species is yellow, together with the upper thorax. Its wings are partly transparent and mostly dark brown to black.
The flies arise all around giant ragweed and are only in the season with its fruit.
Flies of the species may be difficult to completely eradicate, just like giant ragweed itself.
Some of the most intense measures include removing the plant from the soil altogether.
This proves the most efficient measure both against the plant and the annoying flies it attracts.
Even if the ripe fruit is eaten and the seeds get in the ground, giant ragweed seeds tend to dry out within a couple of seasons which means there’s no room for the flies to return either.
Green nuance – bright green, yellow-green
12. Havana Brown Cat
A species of domestic cats, Havana Brown Cats are known for their bright green eyes and brown coat.
The coat of the species is the result of selective cross-breeding that started a few decades ago in Europe.
Today, the species is mostly known as The Havana Brown Cat or The Chestnut Brown Cat.
The domestic species is known for its short coat that needs almost no special care and for its distinct bright emerald-green eyes.
Domestic breeding patterns show this is a type of cat that can only live in a domesticated habitat.
While great in families with children, The Havana Brown Cat is a solitary species with one owner.
Like other types of cats of this genus, Havana Brown Cats remain loyal to a person they choose even if they live in a family home.
Green eye nuance – bright emerald green
13. Egyptian Mau Cat
Typically a rare breed outside Egypt, The Egyptian Mau Cat is one of the multiple cat species known for their bright green eyes.
As Havana Brown Cats, Egyptian Mau Cats have bright green eyes. The color of the eyes can also change with age.
This is a species that’s common in Egypt for its spotted appearance. A selected breed, the species has multiple main coat colors with black spots and distinctive brown stripes on its mid-dorsum.
The domesticated species are now accepted in cat shows both with its green eye morph and with its green-blue morph.
Apart from how it looks, this is also an agile cat, one of the most athletic types of cats in Egypt where it’s seen as the fastest type of pet cat.
With an expected lifespan of up to 15 years, these cats remain fast throughout most periods of their lives as they have a slim build that allows them to be faster than other cats.
Green nuance – bright green, green-turquoise
14. Abyssinian Cat
Red-brown coats and bright green eyes are characteristic of Abyssinian Cats.
This is a species that has known little popularity up until the colonial era. This is a time the species was introduced to Africa, and from there, to Europe.
Over a few centuries, the species became one of the most common domesticated cats in the world.
Today, Abyssinian Cats are seen in different areas of the world and remain one of the most common cats to have indoors.
Their brown color, colorful green eyes, and playful character make them ideal for large families.
Cats of the species are further known for doing well in homes with multiple cats due to their extremely-playful personalities.
While beautiful, Abyssinian Cats require constant attention from their owners to maintain a good mood.
A species always looking for the attention of its owner, The Abyssinian Cat may be one of the species that suffers from acute depression in households where the owner is absent for long periods.
Green nuance – gold-green, yellow-green, copper-green
15. Oriental Shorthair Cat
Slender cats such as Oriental Shorthair Cats can also have green eyes.
This species originated in Thailand and it was further popularized with its early introduction to North America.
Its green eyes are just one of the distinctive traits of the species which also shows a triangular head with large ears.
The slenderness of the species may make it look weak, but this cat is highly agile and intelligent.
It can live with its owners or in pairs and it maintains a curious nature into adulthood.
While the green eyes are seen on young and adult Oriental Shorthair Cats, the coat color may or may not be accepted for show cats due to the high nuance variability.
From white to spotted red, Oriental Shorthair Cats come in all colors and maintain distinctive green eye nuances.
Green nuance – bright olive green
16. Nebelung Cat
Nebelung cats are some of the softest coat cats with green eyes. The species shows a double gray coat which feels soft and nice to have on a house pet.
Its oval eyes are mostly green but may also have a brighter yellow-green nuance.
The cat is also known for its thick long tail and long body.
As one of the larger cats with green eyes, Nebelungs are also known for their loyalty to their owner.
Similarly to pet dogs, they can show affection and respect towards one person alone.
A playful species, these cats are also among those that can get trained, albeit not to the degree of dogs.
Green nuance – vivid green
17. Common Bamboo Viper
A nocturnal species, The Common Bamboo Viper (Craspedocephalus gramineus) has round yellow-green eyes. It also shows dorsal green nuances.
Yellow morphs also exist, but aren’t as common as the most bright green with brown pattern variants.
A native species of India, the Common Bamboo Viper also has some variation when it comes to the color of its green eyes.
While its eyes are yellow-green, they can also show bronze undertones or they can be mostly green.
Brown eyes are also seen on the Common Bamboo Viper, a species that lives up on bamboo trees for most of its life.
Green nuance – bright green, yellow-green
18. Indri
Known as the largest lemur, Indris (Indri indri) have bright green eyes with a round shape and varying black and white coats.
This is a tree-dweller, spending much of its time upright, moving from one branch to another, or leaping from one tree to another.
It can also move on all of its 4 legs when on the ground.
This is also a loud species, making long noises that may even last up to a minute.
Indris also have distinct breeding habits. They live with the same partner for years and may only seek out a new partner when their current partner dies.
Green nuance – bright green, yellow-green
19. Border Collie Dog
Green eyes are sometimes seen on the most intelligent dog breed in the world, The Border Collie.
Its eyes can both be green or blue. In some cases, only one eye can be green or blue.
Border Collies can also change eye color during their lifespan as a species that can survive up to 18 years.
Named after its initial habitat on the border of England and Scotland, this is a type of herding dog.
Used to herd sheep, it is also one of the most active dog breeds in the world.
Its 1st position on the dog intelligence rank means this is a species that also attracts the attention of home pet owners.
It thrives in a home with above-average physical activity and room for long daily physical tasks.
Green nuance – bright green
20. Chameleons
Some of the most variable color creatures are chameleons. High color variability also applies to its eyes.
Unlike the other species, chameleons have very different, often green eyes.
They only have a small pinhole to see through as the eyelids are joined, often green themselves.
Unlike most other animals, chameleons can also move their eyes independently, focusing on different plains of sight.
Some of the most common green-eyed chameleons include Veiled Chameleons and Jackson’s Chameleons.
Green nuances – variable green nuances