Camouflage

Definition

Camouflage is a strategy used by organisms to blend in with their surroundings to avoid predation or to enhance predatory success. It involves coloration, patterns, and behaviors that help an organism become less visible to predators or prey.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Camouflage can be categorized into several types including cryptic coloration, disruptive coloration, and mimicry.
2. In cryptic coloration, an organism matches the color of its environment to avoid detection.
3. Disruptive coloration involves bold patterns that break up the outline of an organism, making it harder to detect.
4. Mimicry is a form of camouflage where an organism resembles another species or object for protection or predation.
5. Camouflage plays a crucial role in natural selection as it enhances survival and reproductive success by reducing predation.

Review Questions

• What are the main types of camouflage and how do they differ?
• How does disruptive coloration help an organism evade predators?
• In what way does mimicry contribute to an organism's survival?

Related terms

crypticColoration: A type of camouflage where an organism blends into its environment through matching colors and patterns

mimicry: A survival technique where one species evolves to resemble another species or object for protection or predatory advantage

naturalSelection: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring