Tyger tyger burning bright

 

So I decided to fact check a stunning statement overheard on the interwebs with my new friend ChatGPT...

Is this a true statement: Tigers appear orange to humans because most of us are trichromats, but green to deer and boars which are dicromats. The tiger´s orange and black colors provide camouflage, helping it stalk hoofed pray like deer and boars effectively. 

Yes, this statement is generally true.

Explanation:

1. Human Perception (Trichromats):

   • Most humans are trichromats, meaning we have three types of cone cells in our eyes that detect red, green, and blue light.

   • Because of this, we perceive tigers as orange due to how their fur reflects light.

2. Deer and Boar Perception (Dichromats):

   • Many of a tiger’s prey, like deer and boars, are dichromats, meaning they have only two types of cone cells (usually sensitive to blue and green).

   • This limits their ability to distinguish between red and green hues, making colors like orange appear more like green or grayish tones to them.

3. Camouflage Advantage:

   • In a forest or grassy environment, greenish or grayish shades blend in well with foliage and shadows.

   • This helps tigers remain less visible to their prey, making them more effective ambush predators.

So, while tigers look orange to us, they likely appear greenish to their prey, enhancing their natural camouflage.

Is the tiger a trichromat or dichromat? 

Tigers are dichromats, not trichromats.

Like most carnivorous mammals, tigers have only two types of cone cells in their eyes, making them dichromatic. Their color vision is similar to that of deer and other prey animals, meaning they have limited ability to distinguish between red and green.

How This Affects Their Vision:

• Tigers can see blues and greens fairly well.

• Reds and oranges likely appear as shades of green or grayish tones.

• This means that while they don’t see their own fur as bright orange like humans do, their camouflage still works effectively in the forest.

Tigers, like other predators, rely more on motion detection and night vision than detailed color perception. Their eyes are adapted for low-light hunting, which is more critical for their survival than distinguishing a full range of colors.