One theory that I've heard is that since there are a far greater species of
animal life in the tropics, they need some means of identification to
facilitate finding a mate. Bright colors and combinations of colors may help
identification.
Hank
-----Original Message-----
From: Art Weil <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, July 23, 2000 7:24 PM
Subject: color


>Q-Man asks:
>        Hecky darn; I may have mentioned this before. Sometimes my
>memory is just a memory.
>    BUT critters in the tropics are more colorful than critters near the
>poles. This goes for birds, shells, fish, etc.
>    What is the scientific explanation? Why do northern climates appear
>hospitable to only white, black and gray? Why are colorful critters
>unable to survive farther north? Well, you get the idea.
>    Question Man