Why aren't rabbits green?

[Francois Coulier]

On Tue, 15 Oct 1996, Martin Holmes wrote:

> Here's a question this group may be able to answer:
> 
> Given the fact that rabbits are rather defenceless prey animals that
> spend almost all of their life outside the warren eating against a
> green background, why haven't they evolved to be green? And why has no
> other similar mammal evolved green skin or fur, while many insects
> have?
> 
> Does anyone have any suggestions?
> 
> Cheers,
> Martin
> 
> 
> 
I guess they also have to survive through fall and winter, when brown fur
is probably a much better camouflage.


Francois Coulier
INSERM Unite 119
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France

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