There are a few animals that have the unique ability to change
colors....
The ability to change colors can help animals protect themselves
against their predators because it allows them to blend into their
natural environment. Here is a list of 10 color changing animals.
10. Chameleon
A chameleon is a unique species of lizard famous for changing its
skin color. It does so to camouflage with its surrounding. Sometimes
chameleons change their color when they are angry or fearful. To change
its color, the chameleon adjusts a layer of specialized cells underlying
its skin. Others change color in response to humidity, light, and
temperature. Chameleons never stop growing. They keep shedding their
skin from time to time. Furthermore, chameleons have excellent eyesight
characterized by a 360-degree arc vision. Although chameleons do not
hear, their bodies detect sound within the surrounding.
9. Golden Tortoise Beetle
The golden tortoise beetle is an insect that can
change its color. The species with this ability include Charidotella
sexpunctata and Charidotella egregia. The tortoise beetles change color due to
particular events that occur in their environment. Such events include meeting
a willing mate and being touched by a curious human being. Hence, when they are
mating or agitated, the tortoise beetles change their color from gold to a
bright red color. The change of color occurs due to a process referred to as
optical illusion.
8. Mimic Octopus
Mimic octopus, scientifically known as Thaumoctopus mimicus,
change their color and they can also mimic other sea creatures such as a
lionfish, jellyfish, stingrays, and sea snakes. The mimic octopus can
pick the color of the sea creature that they intend to mimic. The mimic
octopuses change their body shape to avoid potential predators. The
change of skin color helps them to adapt to their surrounding. Mimic
octopuses can change color and mimic shapes due to their skin which is
very responsive to the environment.
7. Pacific Tree Frog
The Pacific Tree Frog inhabits North America. One
of its common features is the sticky toe pads. The sticky toe pads enable them
to climb trees and plants. The Pacific Tree Frog changes its color to blend in
with its surroundings. The change of color is a defense mechanism against
predators such as raccoons, bullfrogs, snakes, heron, and many others. Pacific
Tree Frogs also change their color based on the seasons and temperature. When
the temperatures are high, they turn into a shade of yellow. An example of
Pacific Tree Frog species that changes color is Hyla regilla. The process of
color change in Pacific Tree Frogs takes 1-2 minutes.
6. Seahorses
Seahorses, such as the thorny seahorse, are among
the marine animals that have mastered changing their color. The purpose of
changing their skin color is to camouflage, frighten predators, communicate
their emotions, and for courtship. Complex interactions between the brain, nervous
system, hormones, and organelles make it possible for the seahorses to change
their color. The organelles responsible for these color changes are known as
chromatophores. Regarding the speed at which the skin color changes, this
depends on the stimulus. For instance, in a life or death situation such as
involving a predator, the color changes quickly. But whenever the seahorse is
courting a mate, the change takes place slowly.
5. Flounders
Flounders are naturally brown. However, they can change color to suit
their surroundings. A flounder uses its vision and specialized cells
inside the skin to change color. The cells, in turn, have color pigments
and are linked to the eyes of the flounders. When a flounder moves to a
new environment, the retina in the eyes captures the new color.
Consequently, the color seen by the eyes are transmitted to the cells.
The cells adjust the pigmentation to match the surface color. Scientists
have discovered that flounders depend entirely on their vision to
change color. When their eyes are damaged, then they have difficulties
in camouflaging to their surrounding. An example of flounder species
that changes color is the peacock flounder.
4. Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are cephalopods that change color to
feed on prey and avoid predators craftily. They have three mechanisms by which
they can change color. Firstly, the cuttlefish skin contains papillae that
alter the tone of the fish. The papillae cause the skin to become smooth or
rough depending on the environment. Secondly, camouflaging is possible because
of the chromatophores in their skin. The chromatophores are sacs of color
pigments. To change color, these sacs receive color-changing instructions from
the brain and act accordingly. Lastly, cuttlefish have reflecting plates called
leucophores and iridophores. The plates enable the fish to change its color.
3. Crab Spiders
Spiders called flower spiders (or crab spiders) change their color.
They usually change color to hide from their prey. Consequently, the
spiders change color to resemble the flower surface on which they sit
through the reflection of light. Some spiders release a yellow pigment
that enhances their color changing process. An example of a species of
spider with such color changing features is Misumenoides formosipes and
Misumena vatia. The color change from white to yellow takes 10-25 days.
Hence, the flower spiders patiently wait for the completion of the
process before they can attack their prey.
2. Squid
Squids are marine cephalopods. They possess two
long tentacles and eight arms. An interesting fact about the squids is that
their blood is blue. Furthermore, they have three hearts instead of one like
other fish. The squids are uniquely beautiful and able to change color. They
change color using chromatophores engraved in their skin. The purpose of
changing color is to match the surface they are on so that they can avoid
predators. The camouflage also acts as a hunting tactic since it enables them
to hide away from their prey.
1. Cyanea Octopus
Known as the big blue octopus or the day octopus, octopus cyabea
is found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. It is known as the day
octopus as it is most active during the daytime in contrast to most
other octopus species. The cyanea octopus is
especially adept at camouflage, able to not only frequently change the
color of their skin, but also recreate patterns and textures. On the
hunt for crabs, molluscs, shrimp, and fish, the cyanea octopus is able to quickly adapt its appearance to its surroundings, even mimicking moving shadows such as overhead clouds.
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