Interspecific interactions have shaped many other characteristics
of animals. Camouflage occurs when an animal’s color patterns
help hide the animal, or a developmental stage, from another animal. Cryptic coloration (L. crypticus, hidden) is a
type of camouflage that occurs when an animal takes on color patterns
in its environment to prevent the animal from being seen by other animals. Countershading is a kind of camouflage common
in frog and toad eggs. These eggs are darkly pigmented on top and
lightly pigmented on the bottom. When a bird or other predator
views the eggs from above, the dark of the top side hides the eggs
from detection against the darkness below. On the other hand,
when fish view the eggs from below, the light undersurface blends
with the bright air-water interface.
Some animals that protect themselves by being dangerous or distasteful to predators advertise their condition by conspicuous coloration. The sharply contrasting white stripe(s) of a skunk and bright colors of poisonous snakes give similar messages. These color patterns are examples of warning or aposematic coloration (Gr. apo, away from sematic, sign).
Resembling conspicuous animals may also be advantageous. Mimicry (L. mimus, to imitate) occurs when a species resembles one, or sometimes more than one, other species and gains protection by the resemblance.
Some animals that protect themselves by being dangerous or distasteful to predators advertise their condition by conspicuous coloration. The sharply contrasting white stripe(s) of a skunk and bright colors of poisonous snakes give similar messages. These color patterns are examples of warning or aposematic coloration (Gr. apo, away from sematic, sign).
Resembling conspicuous animals may also be advantageous. Mimicry (L. mimus, to imitate) occurs when a species resembles one, or sometimes more than one, other species and gains protection by the resemblance.
