Animal Camouflage

Illustrates how camouflage helps to insure the survival of many animal species. Discusses three forms of camouflage: protective coloring, protective resemblance, and mimicry. The spots of the leopard allow it to hide in the patterns of light and shadow of the woodlands and grasses. The changing coat of the ptarmigan provides protection in summer and winter. The praying mantis takes on the conformation of twigs and branches. Some butterflies and moths seem to resemble dead leaves. By mimicking less appetizing of more dangerous neighbors, some animals discourage predators., For many animals, the interaction with their environment has resulted in colors and patterns that allow the animals protection from their enemies and disguise from their prey. In this film, camouflage is seen to take three forms: protective coloration as in the ptasmigan and leopard, protective resemblance as seen in the praying mantis and some butterflies, and mimicry as seen in a butterfly and a spider. NOTE: Two (or more) records have been merged together to create this data.