Do animals are amazing masters of disguise. Masters of disguise in the animal world
Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:53 am + to quote pad
If you look closely at these photographs, you may be able to see creatures playing hide-and-seek with Mother Nature herself.
These amazing animals have been forced to become masters of disguise in order to survive in a hostile environment. Some of them are too weak and forced to hide so as not to become easy prey, while others, on the contrary, are real predators who, due to their natural talent, are able to merge with the environment, patiently waiting until the prey deigns to approach them at a fairly close distance.
This collection of photographs clearly shows incredible abilities representatives of the animal kingdom to natural camouflage, which received scientific name mimicry.
All animals, be it fish, frogs, beetles or birds, use two basic methods of camouflage - color mimicry and shape mimicry.
Animals that use color mimicry literally blend in with their surroundings, making them virtually invisible to predators...or their prey. Most commonly associated with chameleons, this method of camouflage is also used by some species of spiders and orchid mantis adopting this stealth tactic for hunting.
Form mimicry (also called imitation) is a natural camouflage that includes a mixture of shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and even behaviors, allowing a living creature to look completely different in its natural environment habitation, eg take the form of a leaf or a branch (that's what stick insects do.).
1. In his clumsy attempt to hide from predators, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko from Madagascar pretended to be a leaf.
2. Well, there's certainly no one hiding here! This statement is fundamentally wrong: a mimic frog lurks on the leaves! National Park Amacayacu. Colombia.
3. It is almost impossible to notice a lichen spider in an ambush. Erawan National Park, Thailand.
4. The color of the speckled sanddab blends perfectly with the pebbly bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
5. The sluggish desert sandhopper could be an easy prey for any predator, if not for one “but” ... its natural camouflage blends so perfectly with the grains of red sand that it is simply impossible to notice against the background of its natural habitat.
6. An orchid praying mantis living on the buds of these flowers will be a great addition to a bouquet of orchids.
7. Walking through the picturesque forest of the San Cipriano reserve, carefully look under your feet, otherwise you risk crushing a couple of hundred deciduous grasshoppers hiding in the fallen leaves.
8. Dozing in an ambush Snow Leopard unlikely to catch anything today. Himalayas.
9. When Kallima butterflies land on a branch, they fold their wings and take on the shape of a withered leaf. Southeast Asia.
10. The small fish Phyllopteryx eques, belonging to the group of seahorses, has many filamentous and ribbon-like outgrowths on its body, which makes it similar to the algae in which it lives.
11. Insects of the species Phyllocrania paradoxa take on the shape and color of the leaves of the trees on which they live.
12. Not a single predator will be able to detect a moth sitting on a moss-covered stone!
Incredible abilities for mimicry are also shown by moth caterpillars, skillfully merging with tree bark or leaves. State of Georgia, USA.
13. Atlantic long flounder camouflaged so that it is almost impossible to see in the background seabed.
14. The greatest master of disguise in the Montagne dAmbre National Park (Madagascar) is considered to be the mossy flat-tailed gecko, which literally becomes one with the tree bark of the tree he has chosen.
15. The Katydid grasshopper is helped to hide from predators by its natural camouflage, which exactly repeats the color of the environment surrounding this insect. Dwells it sweet creature in Costa Rica
16. A leaf frog disguised itself as fallen leaves, waiting for a fatter fly to fly up to it for dinner.
17. Vietnamese mossy frog adapts perfectly to its environment.
18. It is almost impossible to see a hunting gigantic forest nightjar. Brazil.
19. Married couple glass frogs hid in the foliage National Park Manu (Peru).
20. If you decide to go diving near Malpelo Island, you will never be able to see the spotted scorpion fish lurking in the rocks.
21. There is definitely someone hiding here! Quite right! This mango leaf was chosen by the common baron butterfly caterpillar (Euthalia aconthea). Malaysia.
22. Don't get close! It may well be that the thing that caught your attention is a hungry grizzly bear. North America.
23. Mimicry of the shape of the northern white-faced owl (Ptilopsis leucotis) is able to frighten any predator (watch the video)!
24. Stick insects disguise themselves as their habitat, merge with it - become one with the tree or shrub on which they live.
The appearance of stick insects is perfect natural camouflage which makes them almost impossible to spot in their natural habitat.
At the same time, the appearance directly depends on the habitat: for example, if an insect most spends its life on leaves, then its body has a leaf-like shape, some species, such as Carausius morosus, can change the pigmentation of their body, like chameleons.
Stick insects are unpretentious in food and “attached” to one place, so they are ideal pets. More than 300 species of these unusual insects have been bred in captivity.
Incredible Facts
Camouflage is an ancient art, not much older than sight itself, and many animal species on our planet depend on it for survival.
Whether it's a gecko merging into the bark or a jaguar fading into the foliage, good camouflage can make a big difference in who becomes food and who is eater.
Here are the most famous animals that have the ability to skillfully disguise themselves.
Baron common caterpillar
If a hungry bird in western Malaysia goes in search of food, then it will have to look for an ordinary baron caterpillar or a butterfly from the Nymphalidae family (Euthalia aconthea) for a long time. Many butterfly caterpillars have the ability to merge with native plants, but few can melt into green, since the caterpillar is a baron.
The baron caterpillar has evolved this advanced shape and color for a single purpose: to hide from predators. This increases their chances of being common butterfly baron and to continue to reproduce his family.
Native to India and southeast Asia, the baron caterpillar often feeds on mango leaves. This can damage their relationship with the mango farmers, which is another reason to disguise themselves.
pygmy seahorse
Coral reefs- this is harsh place for life, and their inhabitants often use camouflage to survive. When it comes to living incognito among corals, pygmy seahorses know how to do it.
Less than 2.5 cm long and studded with coral-like tubercles, it lives on two species of gorgonian corals in pacific ocean with the corresponding color. It merges so skillfully that it was discovered by people only after it appeared among the caught corals in the aquarium. Them conservation status unknown due to lack of data.
Mossy leaf-tailed gecko
This lizard appears to be covered in moss, but is actually the skin of a leaf-tailed gecko, a master of disguise found only in the forests of Madagascar.
Since they live in trees, they have formed skin the color of moss and bark along with skin flaps over the entire surface of the body. But they also have another secret. Just like chameleons, they can change skin color to match the background. Despite the ability to hide, this species is at risk of extinction due to loss of habitat and hunting for international trade pets.
Jaguar
Like many felids, jaguars have developed blurry spotted patterns that blend in with a variety of backgrounds, including those that are far from them. natural environment a habitat.
The jaguar is the only big cat native to the Americas, unlike the other three members of the panther genus: lions, tigers and leopards. And while the jaguar's spots help it hide from some zoo goers, it hasn't helped them avoid humans overall. Once widespread in the Americas, jaguars are now found only in South America, and maybe in a few Central American ranches.
Giant Whitefoot
Known for its gaping beak and large yellow eyes, the giant whiteleg has the ability to merge with a tree. When he suspects danger, he simply closes his eyes, tilts his head back, and merges with the bark.
Despite the fact that they belong to owls, the giant white-footed birds are completely different birds. They do not fly well and do not use their claws to catch prey. In fact, they don't even fly to hunt. Instead, they sit eerily quietly in the trees, waiting for the victim to fly up to them on their own.
Like owls, they are nocturnal birds, but feed more on insects by catching them in their mouths. They make a nasal bubbling call that can be heard quiet evenings in their homelands of Australia and Tasmania.
stone fish
If you've ever snorkeled in the Indian or Pacific Ocean, look out for the coral reefs that look back at you. Perhaps you are looking directly at a stone fish, the most poisonous fish on earth.
Stone-fish live in small coastal waters from Egypt to Australia. They are merge with a variety of reefs and rocks hiding on seabed waiting for prey in ambush. As a defense, they use 13 sharp dorsal fins filled with a neurotoxin that can kill a person in 2 hours. In order not to accidentally step on a stone-fish, experts recommend swimming in the ocean, and not walking.
Grasshopper
Their leaf-like body helps them avoid countless birds, frogs, snakes and other predators.
Generally, grasshoppers are easier to hear than to see. When the wings are rubbed, they produce a characteristic chirping. Unlike crickets, both female and male grasshoppers are equal in their singing. Some of them prey on small insects, but their favorite food is leaves, which is evident from their appearance. And just like with caterpillars, their love of eating leaves can ruin their relationship with farmers and gardeners.
sea flounder
Being a species of flat fish, the flounder is ideal for life on the sea floor. Flounders huddle on the bottom, using their mottled skin to blend in with it. This keeps it safe from predators and allows it to ambush prey such as shrimp, worms and fish larvae.
The flounder itself grows from a larva, but undergoes significant changes as it matures. One eye of the flounder shifts to the other side, allowing it to swim flat while the eyes are directed upwards. Despite the ability to disguise, many sea flounders are at risk from overfishing.
egyptian nightjar
Nightjars are small nocturnal birds that are distributed throughout the world. These birds are called nightjars because of the myth that they steal goats' milk. And while they do often hang around goats, they do so to eat the insects they attract. Most nightjars nest on the ground, and many have developed feathers that are color-matched to the background.
Egyptian nightjars are one of several birds that breed in deserts where they yellowish-gray feathers are in perfect harmony with arid soil. Although their species is declining, they are not endangered due to their diversity, including representatives that live in North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
stick insect
While many animals require a special background to camouflage, some are so well camouflaged that they remain incognito just about anywhere. stick insects are good example this, having twig-like body, making them virtually invisible if they freeze.
There is a huge variety of stick insects in the world, and their size can be from 1.3 cm to 60 cm in length. They are generally brown or green in color and can freeze when threatened, sometimes swaying to mimic a branch swaying in the wind. This does not mean that they cannot be assertive. For example, the American stick insect can squirt weak acid from the glands in the chest to protect itself from possible predators. If it suddenly gets into your eyes, it can cause a burning sensation and even temporary blindness.
arctic fox
The ghostly, almost blue outfit of the arctic fox is ideal for the tundra. Arctic fox not only literally dissolves in the snow and withstands very low temperatures, but also changes its color for summer, which allows it to hide among rocks and plants.
Arctic foxes prey mainly on birds, rodents and fish, but even their fur does not always help them find food in harsh winters. When they have no choice, the Arctic foxes follow on the heels of the polar bears, finishing off what is left. Sometimes they feed on tundra vegetables.
Chameleon
Few animals are as famous for their ability to disguise themselves as the chameleon, whose color-changing abilities make them icons of adaptation. However, scientists believe that their abilities did not develop for this reason, believing that they change colors for communication.
Some shades signal a mood, such as aggression or a desire to mate. While this body color language is the answer to why they developed changing skin, many see it as a great value as a disguise. Some chameleons target specific predators. For example, a species native to South America merges with the earth to avoid birds, but also with the sky to avoid snakes. The secret lies in chromatophores, a type of pigment cell found under the transparent outer layer of chameleon skin.
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish have erected the art of disguise to new height. Not only can they change colors to blend into the background, their psychedelic skin can put even chameleons to shame. Each square millimeter contains about 200 color-changing chromatophores located on other cells that reflect light. They also have tiny muscles that mimic the structure of rocks and reefs.
Cuttlefish are not really fish. They belong to the cephalopod family aquatic molluscs which also include octopus and squid. They are can not only change color, but also glow.
Millions of years of evolution have made real masters of disguise out of some representatives of the animal world. I propose to check your attentiveness and find everyone who hid in the photographs in this post. So let's go!
dwarf puff adder
These animals don't just know their habitat, they are the habitat...or at least, so think their enemies. All species on the planet need to master the art of camouflage in order to survive. Whether it's a gecko merging into the bark, a jaguar disappearing into the foliage, or a pygmy African viper slithering across the sand (pictured).
Common baron caterpillar
Many caterpillars are capable of camouflage, but the Common baron does it best. Hungry birds from West Malaysia will need great luck to get at least one caterpillar of this species for lunch. Evolution taught her to skillfully hide from predators. They live in India and South-East Asia. They eat mango leaves.
pygmy seahorse
Coral reefs are not the best safe place residence, so their inhabitants need protection. The pygmy seahorse reaches no more than two centimeters in length. Corpuscle seahorse able to become covered with tubercles and take on color, corresponding to the type corals. This one is completely unique look seahorse can be found on east coast Sabah.
leaf tail gecko
The skin of this lizard looks like it is overgrown with moss, but this is just its tricky coloration. Mossy leaf-tailed gecko - real master disguise. It is found only in the forests of Madagascar. Or, to be more precise, in the trees.
Jaguar
In the course of evolution, jaguars have developed spotted patterns that can blend perfectly with different environment a habitat. Jaguar - big cat originally from North and South America. Unfortunately, the spotted color of these animals does not help them hide from numerous hunters and poachers. Expensive jaguar fur is in high demand. Deforestation also adversely affects their number. To date, the jaguar is listed in the Red Book.
Smoky frogmouth
These birds are known for their open beaks and large yellow eyes. If they notice danger, they simply close their eyes and tilt their head back to blend in with the bark of the tree due to their coloration.
Frog Shorter Leads night image life, but unlike his close relative owl is not a good flier. They do not use their claws when hunting. Most often, in order to catch prey (mostly they feed on insects), they simply wait for the right moment, hiding behind the foliage of a tree. Habitat: Australia and Tasmania.
warts
These fish (yes, these are fish!), Living in the Indian or Pacific Ocean, are able to take on the color of rocks and reefs - hence their name (Stonefish - in literal translation - stone fish). Merging with the seabed, they wait for their prey. As a defense, they have sharp poisonous spines on their backs that can kill a person within two hours.
If you do not immediately see a grasshopper in the photo, then this means only one thing - its disguise is impeccable. It often helps to avoid encounters with birds, frogs, snakes and other predators. They themselves feed small insects, but the favorite food is leaves.
Flounder
Spotted skin the color of the bottom helps these fish survive in the underwater kingdom. But camouflage not only provides security, but also allows you to lure prey.
Nightjar
Nightjars are small nocturnal birds found throughout the world. They nest on the ground. The color of the plumage helps to blend in very well with the dry soil.
stick insect
Most animals need a certain background to camouflage. But there are those who do well without it. bright volume example - stickman. Parts of the body resemble sticks, which allows them to be invisible almost anywhere. Just enough to freeze. For added protection, stick insects are capable of releasing an acidic liquid to blind the enemy. They are also able to imitate the breath of the wind, slowly swaying from side to side.
arctic fox
The white and blue fur of the polar fox is ideal for living in the winter tundra. It not only merges with the snow, but also protects the animal from low temperatures. Arctic foxes mainly hunt birds, rodents and fish.
Chameleon
Most famous masters disguises are chameleons. Scientists believe that color change is a way of communication between individuals. Different shades signal a certain mood: anger, fear and other emotions.
Cuttlefish
The ability of these inhabitants underwater world accept a different color has no boundaries. They easily hide against the background of the bottom. But the miracles of disguise do not end there - cuttlefish can glow and flicker.
Now let's increase the difficulty level!
Toad
Frog
Animals that use camouflage in wild nature, have a huge advantage, since one of the better ways survival is running from danger. Despite the fact that some animals prefer to hide in peculiar places, such as under rocks, inside tree trunks, in caves, and so on. There are animals that literally hiding in plain sight! Using incredible camouflage skills, these animals not only avoid danger, but can also become it themselves, catching prey along the way. After all, you cannot run from what you cannot see. From arctic foxes hiding in the snow to a rag-picker seahorse merging with ocean currents- below are twenty-five animals using disguises that can fool you!
As you can see, these animals' camouflage skills are so impressive that they can literally be right next to you without you noticing them. Especially a walking stick... just look at this animal (if you can see it). In fact, if you like puzzles and challenges, you should take a look at these twenty-five photos and see if you can tell where the animal is. Some are easy to spot, such as the leopard or arctic fox, but others are much harder to spot (especially #20). Do you think you'll be able to spot all of these 25 camouflaged animals? If so, test your friends and see if they can spot them.
25. Bicolor flounder
These flat fish blend perfectly with the ocean floor.
24. Lichen litoria (Waterfall Frog)
It is not at all surprising that this Australian lichen littoria lives on the banks of streams and waterfalls.
23. Hooded Grasshopper
These grasshoppers, endemic to India, feed on the leaves of trees and can become real pests.
22. Leaf Tail Gecko
This nocturnal gecko endemic to Madagascar.
21. seahorse rag-picker(Leafy Sea Dragon)
Most likely, you will not notice this creature in the thickets of Australian algae.
20. Tetragnatha obtusa
These spiders are found throughout Europe and Asia, but are extremely difficult to spot.
19. flower praying mantis(Flower mantis)
This praying mantis got its name for obvious reasons!
18. Wart (Stonefish)
This is very poisonous fish whose venom is deadly to humans.
17. Leopards
Fish and insects are not the only creatures that blend in perfectly with their surroundings.
16. Dead Leaf Butterfly
When she folds her wings, it is almost impossible to distinguish her from a fallen, dried leaf.
15. common caterpillar baron (Common Baron Caterpillar)
These caterpillars, which feed mainly on mangoes, are often considered pests.
14. African Scops Owl
This owl, which lives in areas below the Sahara Desert, is quite difficult to spot due to its small size, masking and strange behavior.
13. Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are not fish. They are considered mollusks, and quite smart. Studies have shown that their brain-to-body size ratio is the highest among invertebrates.
12. Chameleon
Chameleons don't just change color to blend in with the world around them, they also do it to communicate.
11 Mimic Octopus
This Indo-Pacific octopus is a master at imitating and mimicking other animals.
10. Scaphiophryne spinosa
This frog, endemic to Madagascar, is on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss.
9. Buckwheat nightjar (Egyptian Nightjar)
At night, the dun nightjar lies silently on the ground, hidden by its plumage.
8. Leaf Grasshopper (Leaf Katydid)
Most grasshoppers of this genus have the ability to mimic or to, becoming like leaves.
7. Agama (Agama Lizard)
The most common lizard in Africa is also the best in terms of camouflage.
6. Dwarf sea Horse(Pygmy Seahorse)
The smallest seahorse in the world is such a master of disguise that they were only discovered when one of the corals was examined in a lab.
5. Wolf Spiders
These solitary predators are very agile and have excellent eyesight, however they can also wait patiently and use their camouflage to fool their prey.
4Ghost Mantis
This miniature African praying mantis is famous for its leaf-like body.
3. Stick Insect
Stick insects live in all parts of the world. Their scientific name comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "vision" or "phantom" due to the fact that they are so hard to spot.
2. Arctic fox
These foxes, which are found throughout the Arctic, blend into some of the harshest landscapes on the planet.
1. Gigantic nightjar (Great Potoo)
These tropical birds are so good at camouflage that it will be difficult for you to locate them unless they call out. Their call is very unusual.
- this is the ability of animals to produce a protective coloration in or purchase protection s form that gives them the maximum there are no similarities with habitat.
The chameleon is able to change its color according to environment. In the layers of his skin are pigment cells containing dyes. With their help, the chameleon can change the color of the skin. This about unusual the animal changes color depending on the color of the environment, temperature, or when irritated. A chameleon can change its color within 15 minutes. The state of its pigment cells is regulated nervous system.
Other animals, such as octopuses and squids, can change body color within seconds because their pigment cells are also regulated by the nervous system. Flounder and halibut imitating e the coloration of the seabed, and besides, they partially burrow into the sand to enhance the camouflage effect. If such a fish is placed, for example, on a chessboard, then its body will be covered with black and white squares.
Other fish, frogs, crayfish and crabs do not have the ability to change the color of their body, however, adapting to the environment, they can become somewhat lighter or darker.
Some birds and mammals such as partridge, common fox, white hare and others, adapting to external conditions , change their summer attire for winter, which is white as snow or gray as bare trees.
At times industrial revolution in Great Britain there was only one color variety of the birch moth. White butterflies with small dark spots on their wings perfectly imitated the color of the birch bark overgrown with lichens, on which they rested during the day, and due to this they were hardly noticeable.
In the 19th century, factories began to emit a lot of soot into the atmosphere, from which tree trunks turned black. On dark background it was easy to notice white butterflies, so the birds found them right away. At this time, dark-colored individuals began to appear, the existence of which was previously impossible - on white tree trunks, birds would easily see them.
Dark butterflies successfully bred. So, as a result of a mutation, a dominant population of dark-colored butterflies arose. Now the state of the environment in the UK is improving and again there is an increase in the number of light-colored birch moths.
Examples of mimicry are found among various representatives of everything from insects to mammals. Some imitate vegetation, others become like stones or bird droppings.
Often found in forests best examples camouflage coloring animals. Uneven solar illumination attracts spotted and striped animals to these places, which almost completely merge with the surroundings.
Some butterflies, for example, are similar to a moldy leaf. The praying mantis, which is difficult to distinguish from a dry twig, sits motionless, lying in wait for prey. Among green leaves and dry grass, this oblong insect is almost invisible.
Moth caterpillars have learned to imitate twigs well, and they even have peculiar “buds” on their backs. Only careless movements can give them away. The flat brown body of the horned toad is completely invisible among the fallen leaves.
Females of nightjar pheasant, mallard and other bird species nest on the ground, have brown plumage with dark and light spots. This coloration helps them blend in with their surroundings.
The female plover lays her eggs in a shallow hole among the pebbles, her dotted eggs are absolutely invisible against the background of the pebbles. The female is also well camouflaged, thanks to the black, white and brown stripes, the contours of her body seem blurred and the enemy does not see her.
There are species of birds, for example, the round-nosed phalarope, in which the male incubates the eggs, so its plumage is inconspicuous, and the plumage of the female, on the contrary, looks quite bright. The male and female woodcock wear modest outfits. These birds nest on the ground and the eggs are incubated by both the male and the female.
The bittern (water bull) makes a nest in the reeds. It is invisible in the thickets due to the fact that it has longitudinal stripes on the body. Sensing danger, this bird raises its beak and slowly sways along with the reed, so it is almost impossible to notice it.
Australian gills are characterized by a special disguise. They sit on a branch, stretch up and freeze in this position - it seems as if it is not a bird, but a broken branch. Many canopy birds have blue breasts and green backs. From above, the bird is like a leaf, and below it is a dark dot in the sky. This allows the birds to avoid danger.
Mammals also use protective coloration. Thanks to the stripes on the body of a zebra and the spots on the skin of a giraffe, the hunter looks it's not specific animal, but rather on a shapeless mass that merges with the environment, so it is difficult for him to single out an individual animal from the herd as a potential trophy.
Leo - his sand color helps to blend in with the surroundings, so he can sneak up on prey without noticing.