Bright & beautiful

Sir David Attenborough reveals how the animal kingdom uses colour to ensure its survival

- CAREN CLARK, ALISON SLADE

NEW NATURE

Life in Colour

Sunday, BBC1 HD, 7pm

The natural world would not be anywhere near as spectacular without the brilliant and vivid array of colours exhibited by many of its animals. Now, Sir David Attenborough’s mesmerising two-part BBC1 series explores how some species’ stunning colours and patterns help them attract a mate, beat a rival or evade a predator.

‘For us, colour is a source of beauty and wonder, but for animals, it’s a tool for survival,’ explains Attenborough. ‘Colours attract attention, blend beautifully with their background and create extraordinary displays.’

As the series follows wildlife across the globe, it also uses state-of-the-art technology to demonstrate how a variety of creatures can see a wider colour spectrum than humans.

‘With new cameras, some developed especially for this series, we can reveal a world that has long been hidden from our eyes and that only some animals can see,’ says Attenborough.

Here, the 94-year-old broadcaster showcases the colourful highlights...

SURVIVAL OF THE BRIGHTEST

A few mammals are able to use their more striking hues to demonstrate their superiority over their rivals, including mandrills (right) in Gabon.