Geologists are rapidly becoming convinced that the mammals spread from their central Asian point of origin largely because of great variations in climate. ↗
There's no particular evidence that any of the lower mammals or any of the other animals have any interest in aesthetics at all. But Homo sapiens does, always has and always will. ↗
However, further research has shown that it is the normal condition for humans and for most other mammals. It seems pretty clear why this is the case for most mammals and for most human beings. ↗