Counter shading

Humboldt penguin swimming underwater

Countershading (ger .: Countershading ) is a special form of camouflage (biology) that the predation risk decreases. It is found mainly in residents of three-dimensional living spaces. For example, penguins swimming in the sea are difficult to make out from above because their dark backs visually merge with the dark water. When viewed from below, predators with their light belly cannot easily see them against the light sky.

Counter-shading is found in many species of fish. Some ungulates also have skins with counter-shading.

Counter-shading camouflage paints are also used in the military to camouflage aircraft.

literature

• Peter Kappeler: Behavioral Biology . Springer Verlag, Berlin 2006, ISBN 3-540-24056-X

Web links

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