Professor of Protective Coloration

Your role as Professor is to research four types of camouflage: Concealing coloration, disruptive coloration, disguise, and mimicry.

You are concerned about how animals use camouflage for protection and survival. While you are doing your research, you will use this worksheet to answer several important questions about your topic. At the end of the project, you will need to turn in the completed worksheet to your teacher.

Concealing coloration is when animals use the same coloring as their environment. For example, many animals in the Arctic have white coloring to blend in with the snow that surrounds them.

Disruptive coloration is when animals break up their outline so they do not stick out. These animals have spots, stripes, or other patterns to break up its outline so it doesn't stick out against the background. Animals like zebras, leopards, and tigers use this type of camouflage.

Disguise is when animals blend in with their surroundings. An insect that looks like a branch or leaf is using a costume to hide from predators.If it actually looks like the object on which it stays, then it is using disguise to fool its predators or prey.

Mimicry is when animals look like other dangerous animals. They pretend to be what they are not.

Visit these websites to find information about camouflage:

Animal Adaptation Web Adventure
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/curriculum/weeklywebadventures/animal_adapt/s_mystery1.html

The Art of Camouflage
http://www.arts.ufl.edu/art/rt_room/sparkers/camouflage/camouflage.html

Colorful Disguises
http://members.aol.com/Art1234567/Camo.html

Critter Camouflage- Disruptive Coloration
http://www.saczoo.com/3_kids/20_camouflage/camouflage_disruptive.htm

Critter Camouflage- Mimicry
http://www.saczoo.com/3_kids/20_camouflage/camouflage_mimicry.htm

Evolution of Camouflage
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/01/1/l_011_03.html

Foxes: Camouflage
http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/animal/foxes.htm

If You Can't Run You've Got to Hide!
http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/adaptations/camou1.html

Insect Camouflage and Mimicry
http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/camo.html

Test your knowledge! Play this interactive game to see how well you understand the four types of camouflage!

Seeing Through Camouflage Game
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/leopards/seeinggame.html