Job 2: Camouflage
job_2_camouflage.doc | |
File Size: | 45 kb |
File Type: | doc |
If you did not receive a packet, use the document above to complete this job.
Being able to blend into the environment is an adaptation known as camouflage. This adaptation helps animals blend in with their surroundings. The octopus changes color instantly from black to gray to red to match its background. It can also change the texture of its skin, becoming bumpy or smooth to blend in with rocks and seaweeds.
Protective coloration is when an animal has the same color as its surroundings. Their camouflage makes it hard for enemies to single out individuals.
Protective resemblance is another form of camouflage. This is when an animal looks almost identical to something in its surroundings. For example, a walking stick looks like a twig on trees or shrubs. When it is resting, it has the same color, shape, and position as a twig.
Mimicry allows one animal to look, sound, or act like another animal to fool predators into thinking it is poisonous or dangerous.
Counter shading is when the top side of an animal is a different color from the bottom side. Most fish have counter shading. When seen from above, the fish blend in with the bottom of the lake, river, or ocean. The bottom side of the fish is silver-white. When seen from below, the fish blends with the water's surface and the sky.
Some land animals have counter shading also. The underside of the animal is lighter than the top side.
Some land animals have counter shading also. The underside of the animal is lighter than the top side.
Warning coloration is when an animal has brightly colored body colorings, and they do not blend with their surroundings. The bright colors warn predators to stay away. For example, the lion fish has brightly striped fins with poisonous spines that it displays to would-be attackers.
Deceptive Coloration
Stripes and spots can be disruptive coloration.
Disruptive coloration helps break up an animal's outline. This makes it
difficult for other animals to see it. You'd think that the black and
white stripes of the zebra would make it easy for predators to see it!
The main predator of the zebra is the lion. Lions don't like to hunt in
the heat of the day, they prefer sleeping in the shade. They hunt as it
gets dark. As the sun goes down, the black and white stripes of the
zebra help it blend into the tall grass. But the zebra's stripes have
another purpose.
Zebras live in herds. Lions like to pick out one member of the herd that looks weak. When the lion attacks, the zebras start running in all directions. With all those stripes mixing together, its easy for the lion to lose the zebra it picked out of the herd.
Zebras live in herds. Lions like to pick out one member of the herd that looks weak. When the lion attacks, the zebras start running in all directions. With all those stripes mixing together, its easy for the lion to lose the zebra it picked out of the herd.
Cryptic (Protective) Coloration
Some organisms look so much like another object that they almost disappear!
Some organisms look so much like another object that they almost disappear!