Animal Adaptations

Camouflage

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Camouflage

• The ability to hide in your habitat or surroundings.

• A special adaptation that many animals have to help them survive.

• Many colors, patterns, and shapes that animals have are types of camouflage.

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Types of Camouflage

• Color Changers• Mimicry• Counter Shading• Disruptive Coloration

• Test Your Knowledge!

Color Changers

• Some animals’ fur or skin is the same color as its surroundings.

• What happens if the surroundings change?

• Some animals’ fur or skin can change color to match its environment.

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Examples of Color Changers

A Chameleon can change its color to match its surroundings very quickly.

Sacramento Zoo 2006

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Examples of Color Changers

A Polar Bear is hard to spot in the white snow. When the snow melts, the Polar Bear

sheds his white fur and grows brown fur to match

the tundra.

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Mimicry

• Some animals have markings that make them look like other animals that may be dangerous.

• Some animals look like things in their environment.

• Bold colors, patterns or shapes can be warning signals to potential predators.

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Examples of Mimicry

The Scarlet King Snake is not poisonous – but most predators

will leave it alone.

The Coral King Snake is poisonous.

Sacramento Zoo 2006

Sacramento Zoo 2006

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Examples of Mimicry

The Monarch Butterfly is very toxic and

tastes bad.

The Viceroy Butterfly looks like the

Monarch Butterfly. Most birds will leave it

alone.Continue

Sacramento Zoo 2006

Sacramento Zoo 2006

Counter Shading

• When an animal is counter-shaded, the upper part of its body (back) is dark and the underpart (belly) is lighter in color.

• Many creatures that live in the water are counter-shaded.

• Many tree-dwelling creatures are counter-shaded as well. 

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Examples of Counter Shading

A Squirrel’s belly is light to help it blend in with the light coming through the trees. This helps it hide from predators

below.

A Squirrel’s back is darker to help hide it from predators above. The darker color allows it to blend in with the trees

and the ground below.

Microsoft ClipArt Gallery 2004

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Examples of Counter Shading

When looking up from the bottom of the ocean, a Shark is hard to see because of its light colored belly.

When looking down from the top of the water, a Shark is hard to see because its dark back blends with the ocean

floor below. Continue

Microsoft ClipArt Gallery 2004

Disruptive Coloration

• Disruptive coloration is a way of confusing the eye. 

• It breaks up the solid outline of an animal’s body so that it is harder to see and recognize. 

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Examples of Disruptive Coloration

The Sumatran Tiger has stripes that help it hide among the tall grasses and slender trees. So

that it’s hard to tell what is grass and what is

Tiger!  Sacramento Zoo 2006

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Examples of Disruptive Coloration

In a heard of Zebras, it is hard to tell where one Zebra starts and the other one ends.

This type of disruptive coloration can be confusing to predators.

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Sacramento Zoo 2006

Identify the Camouflage

•Color Changer

•Mimicry

•Counter Shading

•Disruptive Coloration

Sacramento Zoo 2006

Correct!!!

Disruptive Coloration

Jaguars hunt among the leaves, broken light and shade of low tree branches. His spots

help him hide in his environment.

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Try Again!

Identify the Camouflage

•Color Changer

•Mimicry

•Counter Shading

•Disruptive ColorationSacramento Zoo 2006

Correct!!!

Color Changers

An Octopus can change its color almost

instantly when threatened by a predator.

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Click Here to Watch a Video of an Octopus Changing Colors!!

After viewing this video, click the “Back” button in your browser to return to

this slide show

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Identify the Camouflage

•Color Changer

•Mimicry

•Counter Shading

•Disruptive Coloration

Microsoft ClipArt Gallery 2004

Oops!

Try Again!

Correct!!!

Counter Shading

Penguins have light colored bellies to help them blend in with the ice on the top of the water. The Penguin’s dark back helps him blend in with the dark

ocean floor below. Continue

Identify the Camouflage

•Color Changer

•Mimicry

•Counter Shading

•Disruptive Coloration

Oops!

Try Again!

Correct!!!

Mimicry

This Moth Caterpillar mimics a snake. This helps tell predators to stay away.

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Great Job!

Visit these websites for more information on animal adaptations and camouflage:

• HowStuffWorks: How Animal Camouflage Works

• EcoKids: Play & Learn: Animal Adaptations• Sacramento Zoo: E-Feature - Camouflage• Play Find the Critter at Longhorn

Cattle.com

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After viewing these sites, click the “Back” button in your browser to return to

this slide show

References

• Council for Environmental Education. (2005). Project Wild K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. Houston, TX: Council for Environmental Education.

• The Sacramento Zoo: E:Feature – Critter Camouflage. (2006). Retrieved from: http://www.saczoo.com/3_kids/20_camouflage/camouflage_intro.htm November 4, 2006.

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Photography Credits

• Microsoft ClipArt Gallery. (2004). Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-us on November 4, 2006.

• Sacramento Zoo: E:Feature – Critter Camouflage. (2006). Retrieved from: http://www.saczoo.com/3_kids/20_camouflage/camouflage_intro.htm November 4, 2006.

• Wetterer, J. (1992). “Moth Caterpillar.” Retrieved from http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/camo.html on November 4, 2006.

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