While most cats are ambush predators, and tigers are perhaps the most well-known for their skill in hunting prey unseen. They meticulously stalk their prey, getting as close as possible before striking. However, have you ever wondered how they do this? Their native habitats are forests filled with green vegetation, so how does a predator the size of a tiger hide from the wary eyes of its prey?

The answer is actually pretty simple.

Large ungulates (deer, moose, etc.) are among the most hunted tasty snacks for tigers. And most ungulates are colorblind. So while the coat of a tiger may appear to be a vivid orange to us, to their food, they are nearly indistinguishable from the greenery around them.

Some may wonder why the tiger evolved to have orange fur, rather than green. That’s because mammals are incapable of producing green pigment for hair or fur. Mammals only have two kinds of pigment: one that produces dark brown/black hair, and one that produces lighter hues like blonde or orange. So cosplaying as a gothic pumpkin was really their only option!