How a Lack of Photoreceptor Cells Causes Most Mammals to Be Less Colorful Than Fish and Birds
by Lori Dorn from Laughing Squid on (#4CWJV)
SciShow host Olivia Gordon explains why most mammals are not as richly colorful as fish, insects, and birds. As it turns out, color is not perceived well by mammals, as only have two photoreceptor cones inherited from pre-historic times, which are half as much as their swimming, crawling and flying cousins of the animal kingdom.
Related Laughing Squid PostsTetrachromatic Artist Describes How She Can See 100 Million Colors With an Extra Photoreceptor in Each EyeSciShow Explains How Different Species of Animals Are Able to Change ColorA Wonderful Compilation Animals in Slow MotionBirds, bugs, fish and more come in every color of the rainbow, meanwhile mammals seem to offer more generic pallets, and dinosaurs might be to blame.
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