Why Aren't Rabbits Green?

[AndyC]

I was watching some black rabbits (presumably the result of an escaped domestic rabbit) in a field today and thinking they must be an easy target for the buzzards when it struck me that really rabbits should be green.

Ok, so the rolling acres of English grass are a man made landscape and rabbits don’t just live in fields but surely it would be an advantage to have some green fur. Are there any green mammals anywhere (apart from mouldy sloths).

Andy

[neep_neep]

There are no green mammals - fact

Apart from the example you have given

The black rabbits may have been a product of an escaped domestic, or could have been a natural genetic mutation in that population - much in the way you see melanistic squirrels every so often.

Regarding why mammals are not green...not sure of exact answer, but my assumption would be that mammals simply have not developed the genetic machinery to produce a green pigment.

In birds, the green colouration on the feather is not due to a green, genetically based pigment.

The genetic pigment is a yellowish colour (which is also seen in mammals, i.e. the leopard) and it is the structural composition of the overlying barbules which scatter the light in such a way that green is seen, rather than the yellow base pigment.

[Gill Catton]

most natural vegetation is brownish most of the time so presumably this is why there is a lack of green mammals, the pangolin is kind of greenish or greenish brown. But this doesn't explain why there are plenty of green reptiles and amphibians a colour that obviously works for them, but no green mamals - an interesting question......
Oh wait, don't most mammals only see in a very limited range of colours? Most fish certainly see colour and birds - isn't the general rule of thumb that colourful animals generally see in colour? Many lizards are very brightly coloured particularly the males so perhaps it's as much sexual selection as natural selection that has caused colours such as green to becme prevalent ........

[henrya]

Originally Posted by AndyC

I was watching some black rabbits (presumably the result of an escaped domestic rabbit) in a field today and thinking they must be an easy target for the buzzards when it struck me that really rabbits should be green.

Ok, so the rolling acres of English grass are a man made landscape and rabbits don’t just live in fields but surely it would be an advantage to have some green fur. Are there any green mammals anywhere (apart from mouldy sloths).

Andy

I think many predators of mammals rely on seeing movement, or on scent, than on seeing a contrasting coloured blob in a field. That's why lots of mammals will either sit still, or run for cover, when a predator is about.

Black rabbits have been around for hundreds of years - they were once highly prized, as black fur commanded a premium.

henrya

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

most natural vegetation is brownish most of the time so presumably this is why there is a lack of green mammals, the pangolin is kind of greenish or greenish brown. But this doesn't explain why there are plenty of green reptiles and amphibians a colour that obviously works for them, but no green mamals - an interesting question......
Oh wait, don't most mammals only see in a very limited range of colours? Most fish certainly see colour and birds - isn't the general rule of thumb that colourful animals generally see in colour? Many lizards are very brightly coloured particularly the males so perhaps it's as much sexual selection as natural selection that has caused colours such as green to becme prevalent ........

Gill that's one groovy psychadelic lizard- is that one of your Madagascar shots + do you know what the fella is?

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Gill that's one groovy psychadelic lizard- is that one of your Madagascar shots + do you know what the fella is?

well it's a 'day gecko' and sadly I can't remember it's full scientific name off-hand (note book and named photo at home!) but it essentially means fourspotted (it has dark spots in it's 'arm' and 'leg' pits)..... I saw several species similar to this, there was one where the dark spots extend into stripes down the side and then it becomes striata as I recall - or something similar, I'm tempted to get the reptiles and amphibians book for madagascar but it's £50 + and it's going to be YEARS before I can afford to go back!! (Esp as I also want to go to Peru and Costa Rica!!)

but this question has really got me thinking....... Why are there no green mammals? there are blue ones or ones with bits of clue but I can't think of any green ones at all. Surely the selection pressures or dietry influences that have resulted in green reptiles, amphibians, fish, plants, invertebrates (are there green fungi?) also exist for mammals?

the first google hit with a search of green mammal is very interesting, not sure it answers everything though...

[AndyC]

Interesting stuff, keep it coming.

Another good question might be, why didn't I google it?

Andy

[wyevilla]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

...

the first google hit with a search of green mammal is very interesting, not sure it answers everything though...

Not many answers but it is a very thought provoking hit. Well done Gill.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by AndyC

Another good question might be, why didn't I google it?

Andy

always nicer to ask real people than a search engine...

Ask a Scientist - Why no green mammals?

[nightshade]

Black rabbits were very common around the Bridgewater area,I do occasionally see brown and whites locally.Rabbits are a "herd" animal and have always relied on defence in numbers,there used to be huge "herds"in the fields until myxi was introduced breeding regularly with large litters more than made up for the small(ish) losses to predators camouflage was unecessary