Types of Camouflage

The dresser crab gets its name for a reason: The animal picks up pieces of coral and sponge with its claws and places them on the Velcro-like hairs that cover its body. When a predator, such as a blowfish, passes by, the dresser crab freezes, blending into the seafloor. The dresser crab adapts to its environment so well that even when placed in a fish tank full of human objects, such as lace and pearl necklaces, the creature will get "dressed up" for the occasion, appearing to be just another trinket at the bottom of the tank.!What type of camouflage does this animal demonstrate? Does it have any other types of adaptations?

Protective coloration

The scarlet king snake is harmless, but its black, yellow, and red stripes mimic the stripes of the deadly coral snake. The only real difference between the two patterns is the order of the colors. The coral snakes pattern is red-yellow-black. The scarlet king snakes pattern is red-black-yellow.A rhyme makes the distinction easy to remember.Red on yellow kills a fellow,Red on black wont hurt Jack.!What type of camouflage does this animal demonstrate? Does it have any other types of adaptations?

Mimicry

Razzle Dazzle, was a tactic used by Allied forces during World War I and World War II. Large ships, such as aircraft carriers, were painted with bold, geometric patterns. Razzle Dazzle did not camouflage the so-called "dazzle ships," but made it difficult for opposing forces to judge the size and type of the vessel.!What type of camouflage is being demonstrated? Can you think of other animal adaptations that have been used by society?

Disruptive Coloration

Until the 17th and 18th centuries military uniforms were brightly colored, in order to intimidate the enemy.In the 1850s, the British Army suffered massive casualties in India. (Indians were fighting for their independence.) British leaders dyed their bright white uniforms a dull, sandy tan to blend in with the desert surroundings. They called these newly colored uniforms khakis, a Hindu word for “dust.”!What type of camouflage did the British use for their military uniforms in the 17th and 18th centuries? What type did they use after?

Protective Coloration

Ghillie suits are used by the military and hunters to blend in to thick vegetation. In addition to patterns of contrasting green or khaki, ghillie suits feature elements of foliage from the area: twigs, leaves, and branches.In Australia, ghillie suits are nicknamed "yowies," for their resemblance to the Yowie, a mythical creature similar to Bigfoot.!What type of camouflage is being demonstrated? Can you think of other animal adaptations that have been used by society?

Protective Coloration

This owl butterfly uses eyespots so that its identity and location disguised through a coloration pattern. The eyespots of the butterfly trick predators into thinking they are looking at the face of an owl, a much larger and more dangerous species.!Which two types of camouflage does this animal demonstrate?

Mimicry and Disruptive Coloration

Penguins spend a lot of time in the water. The dark feathers on their backs help disguise them from predators that are swimming above them. Their white stomach feathers hide them from predators swimming below them.!What type of camouflage does this animal demonstrate? Does it have any other types of adaptations?

Countershading

Monarch butterflies contain toxins they derive from the milkweed plants they eat as caterpillars. These toxins make birds that mistakenly eat them very ill. While this experience does not save the life of the unfortunate monarch, it is definitely a "learning experience" for the bird involved. The bird will never prey on a monarch butterfly again. !!What type of camouflage does this animal demonstrate? Does it have any other types of adaptations?

Warning Coloration

On the backs of these treehoppers are small, odd-shaped outgrowths called helmets which look like thorns. Other treehoppers have helmets that resemble seeds, caterpillar poop, and even ants. Biologists have now traced the origin and evolution of helmets, showing that treehoppers have achieved what no other insect has in more than 300 million years...!What type of camouflage does this animal demonstrate? Does it have any other types of adaptations?

Protective Coloration

The orchid mantis from Indonesia and Malaysia, Hymenopus coronatus,  is one of the most beautiful insects in the world and a symbol of complex and perfect camouflage in animal kingdom. !Every part of mantis life involves deception. When born it is a little orange-black insect, looking like poisonous bugs of the forest. Later it turns into a wonderful whitish-pink insect that lives on orchids,  copying various parts of the flower. and ambushing visiting insects. Sometimes it hunts disguising itself as a flower on leaves and branches: curious pollinating insects are easily captured.!

Mimicry

Known as the most venomous creature roaming the sea, the blue ringed octopus is a force to be reckoned with. They are a group of around 3-4 species that tend to dwell in tide pools and coral reefs of the pacific and Indian ocean. The creature itself is quite small, averaging a length of around 20cm. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for its ruthless behaviors and powerful venom. The blue ringed octopus contains a neurotoxin that is 10,000 times stronger than cyanide. This poison is injected through its beak, and paralyzes the entire body. This poison is extremely venomous to humans, and a large male can die within minutes if not medically treated.!What type of camouflage does this animal demonstrate? Does it have any other types of adaptations?

Warning Coloration

When sharks sneak up on a shoal of fish, it can approach from either above or below, because its dark and light colouring breaks up its shape, making it harder to be noticed. !There are an estimated 375 species of shark and they have been around for nearly 400 million years, making them older than dinosaurs! Sharks do not have any bones because its skeleton is made up of cartilage. This gives it more flexibility in water and helps it to stay afloat.!What type of camouflage does this animal demonstrate? Does it have any other types of adaptations?!

Countershading