Looking through the images on the Infrared Zoo Gallery I had a thought. I wonder if anyone has though about researching the relation of predator, prey, location and infrared emissions.

Coat/body color/patterns create camouflage patterns for predator or prey. Prey animals seem to favor more fur which hide them in shade or some other way to lower infrared emissions. Predators had larger areas of heat that showed up bright white in infrared. Must also take into account original locations of animals: desert, forest, water, etc.

Implications for evolution, if infrared could be seen by the naked eye? Thicker fur, feathers, hair or blubber all in lighter colors that don’t radiate heat. Patterns that blend with sun and shade. Possible rise in populations of cold blooded animals.