Why Aren't Mammals More Colorful

The video explores why mammals are generally less colorful than other animals, tracing the evolutionary reasons back to the Mesozoic Era. It explains how pigments like melanin contribute to mammal coloration and discusses the limited color vision in most mammals compared to other species. The nocturnal lifestyle of early mammals during the dinosaur era led to a genetic bottleneck, affecting their color vision and UV protection. Primates, including humans, have evolved better color vision, allowing for more vibrant coloration. Despite these limitations, humans can add color through clothing.

What evolutionary reasons contribute to the subdued coloration of mammals compared to other animals?

How do the pigments melanin and theomelanin differ in terms of the colors they produce?

In what ways do primates differ from most mammals regarding color vision?

What is the significance of the nocturnal bottleneck hypothesis in the evolution of mammals?

What adaptations did mammals undergo during the Mesozoic Era to survive alongside dinosaurs?