Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Animals & Color

Animals take full advantage of color, and use it in many different ways. Some animals use colors to warn that they are dangerous. Animals also use colors to camouflage themselves from predators or prey. Even still, animals use their colors to attract and impress mates.

Poison dart frogs are probably best known for their bright colors that warn of danger. The bright colors in patterns on their back warn humans, and other animals to stay away, because they are dangerous. Some animals also will mimic these types of warning colors to trick other animals into thinking they are dangerous, which wards off predators.


Many animals also use their color to camouflage themselves. They adapt their color to the nature of their surroundings, which allows them to hide from a predator, or hide from their prey.

Tartan Hawkfish


Leafy Sea Dragon


Animals also use color to attract and impress a potential mate. They will fluff up feathers or fur to create an illusion of size, and display beautiful colors and patterns. Probably one of the most well known examples of this is the male peacock. Many male bird species, like ducks and cardinals, will have a different color than the female, in order to show of.

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