Blending in
Camouflage is when an animal species adopts a type of colour or pattern that helps the animal blend into its surroundings so that they are not visible. There are several different types of camouflage. It is mainly used to protect against predators, or to trick a prey into believing that it’s safe to approach.
Some animals can change colour at will, depending on the environment they are in. But most species have the same camouflage all the time. The leaf-tailed gecko is a lizard that lives in Madagascar, which has adapted its body and colour to resemble a tree branch. The tail looks like a leaf and the whole gecko lizard effectively blends into the background.
Stick insects and leaf insects are both large families, with many species. Stick insects look like thin sticks and some species walk in a wobbly fashion, blending completely into the foliage and branches when the wind blows. Leaf insects mimic leaves, with flat bodies and the colour of surrounding leaves. All of these use this kind of camouflage to avoid being eaten.
The leaf-tailed gecko has skin with patterns and colors that resemble the bark of a tree or dry leaves. This allows it to blend into its surroundings and become almost invisible to predators and prey. It's a smart way to protect yourself!
Photo: Charles-J-Sharp-CC-BY-SA
Stick insects camouflage themselves both with their appearance, and by having a movement pattern similar to a trembling twig.
Photo: Jacob-Littlejohn-CC-BY-SA
Leaf insects have developed an amazing camouflage that makes them look exactly like living or dead leaves. This makes it difficult for predators and prey to see it, and gives it a chance to sneak around and find food.
Photo: Cumming-RT-Thurman-JH-Youngdale-S-Tirant-SL-CC-BY
Tree creepers are experts at camouflage and can blend in perfectly with the tree trunks where they seek shelter. Their plumage is both beautiful and functional, helping them avoid danger.
Photo: Stefan-Berndtsson-CC-BY
The tawny owl's plumage makes it almost invisible against the tree trunk.
Photo: Magnus-Johansson-CC-BY-SA
The pygmy seahorse looks almost exactly like the corals in its surroundings.
Photo: Rickard-Zerpe-CC-BY-SA
The toothy goby lives in the waters around Indonesia and Malaysia, and resembles the corals it lives in.
Photo: Nick-Hobgood-CC-BY-SA
Disappearing against tree trunks and rotting leaves
The Eurasian treecreeper is a common bird species in Sweden, and when it climb tree trunks it blends in perfectly with the background. Owls also wear matching colours on their plumage, so as not to be seen among the trees. Tawny owls are very difficult to spot when perched in tree hollows. Owls use camouflage both for hunting and to avoid foxes and other predators.
The ghost mantis is an insect with a body that has adapted to hiding among rotting leaves. It is a predator and uses this technique to hunt. The Indian leafwing is a butterfly that blends in with the trees it rests on. When resting, it closes its wings to resemble a dead leaf.
The Gaboon viper is a highly venomous snake that lives on the ground in Africa. It has a colour pattern that makes it blend in with the background of dead leaves that have fallen from trees, and it is a successful hunter.
The ghost mantis is a praying mantis that blends in perfectly among rotting leaves. It is a predator and uses its camouflage to hunt.
Photo: SAplants-CC-BY-SA
The Indian leafwing butterfly blends in perfectly with the trees it rests on when it folds its wings.
Photo: D.-Gordon-E.-Robertson-CC-BY-SA
Can you see the snake? It is difficult to detect. Look for the head which is shaped like a leaf. The Gaboon viper lives on the ground and is active at night. During the day it mostly rests.
The Surinam horned frog is a frog that lives in the Amazon. It has small horns on its head and colors that make it blend in completely among fallen leaves. It also uses the strategy to hunt.
Photo: Andreas-Schluter-CC-BY-SA