this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2024
209 points (96.9% liked)

Showerthoughts

29805 readers
960 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
vatlark@lemmy.world
forkball@lemmy.world
quinten@lemmy.world
Thekingoflorda@lemmy.world
209
Ever notice mammals never seem to come in green? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 7 months ago by tunetardis@lemmy.ca to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
61 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects? Sure. But no mammals.

So I had to google it. Apparently, there is a sloth that moves around so slowly moss grows all over it and it doesn't care. So it may appear green, but only in the sense that it wears it.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] HeartyBeast@kbin.social 58 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Good article here https://nature-notes.riverlegacy.org/how-come-there-are-no-blue-or-green-mammals

[–] HonoraryMancunian@lemmy.world 21 points 7 months ago

So I skimmed that and it seems the tldr is mammals have melanin (and I'm guessing the other animals don't)

[–] abbadon420@lemm.ee 9 points 7 months ago

Very nice read, thanks

[–] tunetardis@lemmy.ca 3 points 7 months ago

Great read! That explains a lot.

I've been deep diving a bit myself and found this article that explains another thing that's puzzled me over the years. Some birds have crazy vibrant coloration that almost glistens, like peacock feathers. Outside of the zoo, I've noticed it a bit in common grackles. They look black on first glance, but when you study them closely, they have this kind of purple sheen around their heads. Apparently, it's still melanin at work here, but it's structured in a very special way.