If you are seeing a black cat at night in your room when the lights are off, it's likely due to a combination of factors related to your vision and perception. Here are some possible reasons:
Pareidolia: Pareidolia is a psychological phenomenon where the brain perceives familiar patterns or shapes in random stimuli. When it's dark and you can't see clearly, your brain may try to make sense of the shadows and shapes, leading you to interpret them as a black cat.
Retained Light Perception: Sometimes, even when the lights are turned off, there might be a tiny bit of residual light or ambient light entering your room from other sources, such as streetlights or electronic devices. This faint light can be enough to create shadows and vague shapes, which your mind might interpret as a black cat.
Adaptation to Darkness: When you enter a dark room, your eyes gradually adjust to the low light levels through a process called dark adaptation. During this process, the sensitivity of your eyes increases, allowing you to see better in low light. However, this can also lead to visual distortions or illusions, and you might misinterpret objects or shadows in the room.
Dream or Hypnagogic State: In some cases, if you are in a state between wakefulness and sleep (hypnagogic state), you might experience vivid and dream-like images that can seem real. This could also contribute to the perception of a black cat in your room.
Actual Presence of an Object: Of course, there is also the possibility that there might be an actual object in your room that looks like a black cat or casts a shadow resembling a cat. It could be a piece of furniture, a clothing item, or any other object that, in the darkness, appears similar to a cat's silhouette.
Imagination and Anxiety: Human imagination can play a significant role in how we perceive the world around us. If you have a fear of cats or the dark, for example, your mind might be more prone to creating images that align with those fears.
Remember that seeing things in low light conditions is common and is not necessarily an indication of any underlying health issue. However, if you frequently experience unusual visual perceptions or have concerns about your eyesight, it's a good idea to consult an eye care professional to rule out any potential vision problems.