What is camouflage? Why do animals camouflage themselves?
Camouflage refers to how animals blend into its natural environment. They camouflage themselves as their bodies have colours and/or patterns that can blend into their environment. Animals use camouflage to remain hidden from predators (which primarily hunt using vision instead of smell) or prey. When they are hidden from their prey, they can hunt more efficiently.
Examples of camouflage in nature:
(1) Having body colour that blend into the surroundings
A polar bear has a white coat of fur that blends into the white snow-covered surroundings. In winter, an Arctic fox sheds its brown summer coat and grows a new white coat.
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| Polar bear |
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| Arctic fox in the summer versus arctic fox in the winter |
(2) Having body colour and patterns that blend into the surroundings
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| Leaf Insect |
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| Orchid Mantis |
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