Natural Camouflage Techniques

Octopus

• The octopus has several camouflage strategies to help it stay out of sight. One is a trick that scientist Roger Hanlon calls the "moving rock" trick. The octopus will camouflage itself to blend in with a rock behind it. Then, in rhythm with the rippling water and the sunlight, it will slowly move without being detected. Another trick the octopus uses involves walking on only two legs. This allows its other legs to camouflage the body and remain undetected.

Cryptic Frog

• Cryptic frogs do not change colors. Instead, they are colored and shaped in such a way that they blend into its native environment. These frogs are shaped somewhat like leaves. They are also similar in color (brown) to dead leaves. As long as they are stationary, these frogs are difficult to spot. Their angular heads help give the impression of simply being a leaf that has fallen to the ground.

Arctic Fox

• The arctic fox is another animal that can camouflage itself based on its environment. This animal's camouflage changes, but not at will like that of the octopus. The arctic fox's camouflage is based on season. In the summer, the fox's coat is brown to match the leaves and trees in its surroundings. In the winter, however, the fox's coat changes to pure white to match the snow that has fallen.

Chameleon

• Chameleons are well known for their camouflaging ability. The chameleon can change its color in less than a second and does so to conceal itself, as well as for social reasons such as attracting a mate. One species from South Africa not only changes color to blend in with its surroundings, but can also change color based on the vision of a predator. For example, the color change when threatened by a bird may differ from the color change when threatened by a snake.