Possessing the ability to get lost in the horizon is something that some animals can boast of. As a defense mechanism or simple survival, the extraordinary adaptation of the skin or fur to blend in with the environment is something that works spontaneously. Certainly human beings do not have this ingenious ability, but the natural world stands out for having the best camouflage on the planetamong them the camouflage of the gray owl.
Owls in general are experts at camouflage (yes, almost like chameleons), these birds of prey can remain hidden for hours. Their enormous eyes are on the lookout for their prey or are attentive to the lenses of wildlife photographers.
James S.
The expert camouflage of an owl
The latter was what happened with photographer James S. Batuigas, a camera lover who discovered a great gray owl through his lens. Although the huge owl camouflage itself with a tree bark, which blends perfectly with its plumage, it was not enough to avoid being sighted.
«Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something moving on the tree trunk, that’s when I realized it was the owl slyly blending in with the tree bark,» adds James S.
James S.
Before James’ eyes lay the great gray owl, a Strix nebulosa, the largest (so far known) species of owl on the planet. About 84 cm long, the owl sits still on a branch, its plumage color and pattern disappearing with the tree.
Suddenly, its head turns and the owl is directly at the photographer. An inquisitive, yellow gaze collides with the lens and then a mythical figure from the forest is revealed. One is rarely so lucky to observe nature in its natural awe, but James was lucky to capture incredible footage of a gray owl’s camouflage.
How does camouflage work in animals?
Within the natural world each ability is an advantage over another being; One more chance to survive. Camouflage is one of those many characteristics that prevents a species from becoming food, that is, from becoming an extraordinary predator. However, camouflage works differently for each animal. According to the physiology of the animal, then this ability will know if it blends in with water, plants, trees, or rocks.
The environment of the animal is, in many cases, the factor that determines the appearance of the camouflage. Often the animals prefer to blend in with the background, such as the gray owl. Some others are capable of changing the shades of their skin to then adapt to the ecosystem in which they find themselves.
James S.
In this sense, the physiology of the animal will decide how to adapt the camouflage. For example, the birds their camouflage is in the feathers; in mammals, it is on the fur and in amphibians and fish, it is on the scales.
Many animals have the ability to camouflage themselves, but few have the ability to change their coloration to adapt to a constantly changing environment. Chameleons, for example, are a species capable of changing their coloration, while owls only blend in with the tree that most closely resembles them.
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