A xanthophile is an organism that has an affinity for yellow pigments, particularly carotenoids, which are responsible for the yellow, orange, and red colors in many plants and some animals. These pigments play a role in photosynthesis and can also serve as antioxidants. In the context of animal behavior, xanthophiles may exhibit preferences for yellow-colored foods or environments. The term is derived from Greek, where "xantho" means yellow and "phile" means lover.