Captivating Camouflage

Another evolutionary adaptation for survival is camouflage.  My Mimicry Masters post showed how some animals mimic other animals to avoid predators.  With camouflage some animals 'mimic' leaves, branches, or other natural elements in their environment so they blend in with the scenery.  Do you see the brown-leaf chameleon in this picture?

Source:  wildmadagascar.org

It's the biggest 'leaf' in the picture.  Do you see the leaf katydid in this picture?

Source:  boingboing.net

It's the 'dying' leaf in the center of the photo.

Do you see the walking stick in this photo?

Source:  National Geographic

It's resting parallel to the largest branch that goes through the photo.

There are almost 2,000 species of praying mantis.  Here's a more unusual one.  It's called an orchid mantis.  Do you see it?

Source:  Science Ray

Its head is in the upper right corner of the photo.  This is what the Indonesian mimic octopus normally looks like.

Source:  Dive Travel Services

Can you find it now?

Source:  Web Ecoist

The mimic octopus is capable of turning into any color or any pattern in order to blend in with its surroundings.

These wonderful adaptations allow many creatures to hide in plain sight.