Blogpost 5: C O L O R A T I O N S

Humans are not the only ones who can see color. Have you ever wondered if your pets can see colors like us? However, some animals see poor color vision while some have very good color vision. I am pretty sure that most of us have seen a bullfight in television or live. Almost all of the bulls would attack the red cape that is being faced in front of them. But did you know that bulls are colorblind? They do not actually see the color red. The only reason why they attack the red cape is because it is moving.

 HOW ANIMALS SEE COLOR is a very nice topic written by Jill Morton. It is quite odd how scientists were able to know what colors animals can see. Most were known by observing behavioral patterns against different colors. The bees and the butterflies can see colors beyond our range. They use this to pollinate the flowers around. We see different colors of flowers, but bees and butterflies can see ultraviolet

in them. This is the main reason why they are easily attracted to these. Another unique kind of vision is possessed by snakes. It is the thermal vision which makes use of the heat that is present within. They actually do not need their eyes to see their prey, merely feeling their body heat makes them recognize their presence. Other animals have stronger color perception during night time, like the gecko and the owl. The gecko is the first reptile known to be able to distinguish color blue from gray under dim light.

Animals have different defense mechanisms they use to protect themselves whenever they are in danger. Other animals risk their lives in order to protect themselves. Like in the case of bees, when they sting you, part of their internal organs remains with the stinger, leaving them dying. Some have venom to protect themselves and quite a number uses different kinds of COLORATION, as mentioned by Biocyclopedia. Mimicry occurs when one copies the color of a dangerous animal. Camouflage is similar to mimicry in such a way that an animal copies the color of his surroundings. Seasons also contribute to the reasons why animals change color. An Arctic fox turns brownish during summer to adapt to the color of the land, and during winter, it turns snow white.