Does the color red have a “grudge” against bulls that makes them go wild whenever they see it?
Cattle are familiar mammals to us, and their behavior and emotions have always intrigued humans. Some believe that bulls become furious when they see the color red, prompting them to charge. Consequently, bullfighters use red capes to provoke them. But how does red truly affect the behavior and feelings of bulls?
Common Misconceptions
Most people seem to think that bulls despise the color red. Numerous television shows and online videos depict bullfighting, where a matador waving a red cloth incites a strong reaction from the bull. The powerful animal, weighing over 800 kilograms, charges at the fabric as if it were an enemy. With its large horns and incredible strength, a bull can toss a man several meters away, potentially even killing him. These dramatic images have cemented the belief that bulls hate the color red.
But is it true that bulls hate the color red? Has red somehow “incited a grudge” against them?
A bullfighting scene.
In reality, that is not the case…
The Visual System of Bulls
To better understand the influence of color on cattle, we first need to comprehend their visual system. There is a significant difference between the eyes of bulls and those of humans.
Humans can see a wide range of colors, including brightness, hues, and saturation, under various lighting conditions. The truth is, bulls do not actually hate the color red; they may not even be able to distinguish red at all. Scientific studies have concluded that bulls are essentially colorblind. The red that we perceive appears as gray to them. Due to their eye structure, bulls cannot “detect” all the colors in the spectrum. The most vivid color they can perceive is orange.
If that’s the case, does it mean bulls hate gray then? This is also incorrect.
The retina of bulls contains two types of rod cells and three types of cone cells. The rod cells are primarily active in low light, while cone cells function during the day, enabling bulls to see colors and details. Cattle have a much wider field of vision compared to humans, but they are less sensitive to fine details.
In fact, bulls are extremely stimulated by the matador’s waving of the cape; it could be said that they feel provoked. They are instinctively agitated, especially when combined with the cheers and shouts of the crowd, along with the constant “teasing” from the swords in the hands of the matadors, which drives the bulls… “crazy.” They fight out of anger and a desire to defend their territory.
To prove this point, the Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters conducted an experiment with bulls. Participants used three different colored capes: red, white, and blue, and presented them to the bulls. Initially, the bulls showed no reaction. However, once the capes were waved, the bulls became agitated and charged.
A little-known fact about bulls is that they can see a 330-degree angle, while humans can only see a maximum of 170 degrees. Thus, despite their eyes being on either side of their heads, they can still perceive everything happening in front of them.
Therefore, if you want to avoid being charged by a bull, it’s best not to provoke them. As for what color you choose to wear, it doesn’t really bother them much.
So why do matadors always wear red capes if bulls can’t see the color red? The answer is the red color helps matadors conceal the blood of the injured animal during the fight, which may also include the blood of the matadors themselves.
In conclusion, the impact of color on cattle should be understood from a scientific perspective. We need to respect animals and, through careful observation and research, comprehend their behaviors and emotions, fostering a better coexistence with them.
