Page 78 - One Million Things: Animal Life - The Incredible Visual Guide

1 NATURAL MATCH
Many animals naturally merge into their habitat. The tan color of a Decorator crab
lion is a perfect match for the tall savanna grasses that conceal it as it
stalks prey. The wings of the willow beauty moth match the color and
texture of a tree trunk, making it all but invisible to birds that prey on it.
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2 SEASONAL CHANGE
Arctic regions have short summers and long, snowy winters. Some Sponge
animals change color seasonally to maintain their camouflage all year attached
round. In the fall, the ptarmigan’s brown plumage turns white, making it 3 to crab
less visible in the snow. In spring it turns brown again.

3 RAPID COLOR CHANGE
An octopus can change the color and pattern of Camouflaged
its body within seconds to match its surroundings octopus matches
by either shrinking or expanding packets of stony seabed
pigment (coloring) in its skin. The chameleon is
another rapid changer, although it also alters its
colors in order to communicate.

4 DECORATION
Some animals adorn themselves with objects from their
surroundings to conceal their identity. The decorator crab
attaches pieces of seaweed, pebbles, shells, and even corals
and sponges, to blend in with the seabed. This camouflage
covering is held in place by tiny hooks on the crab’s shell.
Octopus
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Chameleon

Ptarmigan in summer

Plumage matches
pebbles and rocks Ptarmigan in winter

Fur and eye colorings
match grasses

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Willow beauty moth

Lion

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