Why do lions see in black and white

[gambler]

I remember being taught at school that lions other big cats see things in black and white. Hence the striped camouflage paten of zebra (and other animals).

Surely it would have been an evolutionary advantage if somewhere along the line color vision evolved?

[Clanad]

This site disagrees with the contention they only see in black and white:
http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/pagegen/htm/fix/f g/fg_body.asp?sAnimal=African+lion
As does this one:
http://www.lionaid.org/education/faq.htm

Most sites indicate big cats have color vision but that it is less than equal to the quality experienced by humans...

[jake-the-peg]

Whether or not they see in black and white or colour - colour vision can be a disadvantage.

Cone cells in your eye are responsible for colour vision but are less receptive to low levels of light.

Consequently at night you want lots of rods (B&W high sensitivity) cells.

I guess predicting what is or is not an evolutionary advantage can be tricky

[dawkins]

Hi Gambler

Zebra stripes are not very effective camouflage against lions or other predators. There is no real consensus of why zebras have stripes but it is possibly for the benefit of other zebras. Lions Have excellent eyesight for both day and night hunting which is an advantage to them because they consequently get more hunting opportunities.

http://www.wildeyes.be/zzebra.htm

[Siamsal]

Zebra camouflage must be effective, or it wouldn't exist as it does. Natural evolution.

Camouflage of this style has been used by the military (not in B&W though) - it's called dazzle EG

And as to the Q, it must be more important to them to have better acuity and night vision, than colour vision. They should know, being the experts in the field.

[shammydodger]

Because it's cheaper?

I'll get me coat.

[Gef]

That'll be a black and white striped coat then - just like mine LOL

[Andy2306]

why aint cows green then siamsal? there black and white not camo'd very well?

[bernardo]

Zebras have got stripes partly as a cooling mechanism - the dark and light produce convection currents of air which go up and down. Therefore it's not just camouflage.

[chakka35]

Evolution has no facility to go looking for advantages, gambler; it cannot plan or look ahead. Changes come about purely by accident, with the advantageous ones then flourishing purely because they do give an advantage.
A species with only monochromatic vision may experience a series of random mutations that eventually lead to colour vision - with natural selection favouring each little advantageous change as it takes place - or it may not. There's no way of choosing such a course.

[buildersmate]

I thought it was because the lion community objected to paying extra for the colour licence.