October 29, 2003
*Ask Jen
Reader Jeff wants to know, "Are all animals color blind?"
Most birds appear to see colors, while most mammals are color blind. Apes and monkeys can tell colors apart, but dogs and cats seem to see shades of black, white, and gray.
Reader Troy writes, "How did Napoleon die?"
This has been the subject of some debate, actually. The most widely held belief is that he died of stomach cancer. Other theories have been advanced, including a story that he was poisoned. Sten Forshufvud, a Swedish toxicologist, asserted that Napoleon was the victim of arsenic poisoning at the hands of a household servant who was working for the French Royalists.
Do you have a question for me? You can e-mail it. If I know the answer, I'll answer it. If I don't, I might make something up.
Posted by Jennifer at October 29, 2003 12:00 AMTweet
In fact, cats can see in colour. Early experimenters assumed they couldn't, because the cats did not respond to colour cues. In fact, the cats could see the colours perfectly well; they just weren't interested.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at October 29, 2003 01:54 AMAnd doesn't that sound just like a cat?
Posted by: Jim at October 29, 2003 07:27 AMHorses, dogs, tigers and bears... most animals have some ability to see color. it takes them a while to figure out that it's something people consider important, though
Posted by: Cinnamon at October 29, 2003 03:17 PM
Jew