Why are there no green mammals?

[SteveNT]

There is a "green possum" in the south pacific but, like sloths, the source of the colour is algae growing on the fur. So I ask-

why no green mammals?

 

[richoman_3]

same reason why there isnt green humans

 

[Black.Rabbit]

Just not consuming enough chlorophyll...

 

[hornet]

Humans are a single species of the approx 4260 mammal species out there so i dont really get what that comment meant :S

 

[dean30bb]

there is a green mammal

The green ringtail possum found in World Heritage Areas of tropical north Queensland cannot control its body temperature with ambient temperatures above 30 degrees. Prolonged and more frequent heatwaves in the north could result in significant losses of this species.

google it

 

[FAY]

Fur doesn't come in green?

 

[dean30bb]

a picture

 

[hornet]

there is a green mammal

The green ringtail possum found in World Heritage Areas of tropical north Queensland cannot control its body temperature with ambient temperatures above 30 degrees. Prolonged and more frequent heatwaves in the north could result in significant losses of this species.

google it

Its not actually green, In reality the fur is olive grey, but it is grizzled with silver, yellow and black hairs, which makes it appear green

 

[Luohanfan]

Green Acouchi ?

 

[dean30bb]

Its not actually green, In reality the fur is olive grey, but it is grizzled with silver, yellow and black hairs, which makes it appear green

yeah true its more of a dirty yellow

 

[Guest]

who cares about green!
why dont they come in purple?

 

[James_Scott]

The reason is that mammals eyes are made to identify 550nm wavelengths (green) over all other colours. If mammals were green then we would stand out to prey items and it would make it too hard to hunt.

 

[Scleropages]

There is a "green possum" in the south pacific but, like sloths, the source of the colour is algae growing on the fur. So I ask-

why no green mammals?

There is.

same reason why there isnt green humans

Um.. there is!!!!

a picture
View attachment 184766

WIN!!!

 

[hornet]

The reason is that mammals eyes are made to identify 550nm wavelengths (green) over all other colours. If mammals were green then we would stand out to prey items and it would make it too hard to hunt.

But if tigers were green they would blend in with the bushes

 

[python_boy]

But if tigers were green they would blend in with the bushes

and we wouldent want that now would we:S

 

[James_Scott]

Tigers blend in very well as it is. With their current colours they have a way of blending into the background. If they were green they would be brighter and more obvious when they move.

 

[SteveNT]

who cares about green!
why dont they come in purple?

Never seen a Mandrill's bum?

The reason is that mammals eyes are made to identify 550nm wavelengths (green) over all other colours. If mammals were green then we would stand out to prey items and it would make it too hard to hunt.

Thanks James, best clue yet. Can you PM me with your source?

thanks

 

[SteveNT]

Genetically modified to do so, hardly natural and not green fur!

James- How does our (mammals) eyes' favoured wavelength affect the vision of non mammalian predators? Or are you saying that we evolved a non green colour policy to avoid being detected by eachother (mammals)? Could make sense in a post apocalyptic dinosaur free world I suppose but I cant help think it is a genetic lack, if we (mammals) could be green, some of us would be.

In a former life I was a sport fishing guide. I've seen plenty of (temporarily) green people!

 

[Airlie]

Why are most mamals brown? because they live on the ground. Give me a list of green animals that don't inhabit trees or the ocean?

 

[SteveNT]

Airlie, you know as well as I do that there are plenty of aboreal (and savannah) mammals that could potentially benefit from from a green suit!

Why have none of them gone there- except by the extarodinary lengths gone to by the previously mentioned green ringtail or sloths?

If you take out the trees (and I'm assuming the lower vegetation as well) and the oceans (aquatic environments) there's not much point to being green, but mammals are abundant in all these environments and not one green one!

???