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Camouflage Definition

Camouflage is a pattern or color that helps a living thing blend into its environment and survive. For example, sloths match their habitat's texture, becoming unseen.

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Adaptations and the Environment

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Camouflage helps prey avoid predators and predators not be seen by prey.
  • Wavy markings on a giraffe's skin help it blend in with tall grass in the environment.
  • Sloths' fur coloration blends well with the trees.

Why Do We Need To Know About Camouflage

When we learn how animals blend into their surroundings, it helps us understand why hiding or looking different is important for staying alive. For example, some predators are camouflaged, like dark panthers that hunt at night.  This adaptation helps them eat and survive.

Giraffes are also camouflaged, which helps keep them hidden from predators. This cool ability also helps the military create camouflage clothing to protect people. This shows us that animal abilities like blending in are not just good for the animals, but they can also help humans in many jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a giraffe’s long tongue an adaptation?
Giraffe’s long tongues help them obtain food in the wild, which are leaves from very tall and thorny plants. Their long tongues help them bend back the thorns to pull the leaves off without getting pricked by the thorns.
What evidence supports the argument that giraffe’s tongues are protected from sunburn?
The tip of giraffe’s long tongue is exposed to the sun for many hours a day as they feed. Having a dark colored tongue is thought to be an adaptation to keep the tip of the giraffe’s tongue from getting sunburned.
What is an adaptation besides its tongue that helps a giraffe obtain food?
A giraffe’s long neck is an adaptation that helps the giraffe reach foods that other animals can’t eat, such as leaves that are very high up in trees.
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