National Geographic - USA (2021-12)

PHOTOGRAPHED AT MELBOURNE MUSEUM, AUSTRALIA

SOME LIKE IT BOLD; some

like it subtle. Some show

off and others blend in.

Some of our favorite ani-

mals are known for their

patterns. What’s a tiger, or a zebra,

without its stripes?

For patterns pitting color against

color, birds seem to win the prize.

The paradise tanager, the red-crested

turaco, the green twinspot, and of

course the macaw: All wear colors with

abandon, reds and greens and blues

side by side in vibrant designs.

Angelfish glow as if neon under

water. Chameleons can change their

hues. Poison frogs dare to clothe them-

selves in the most unnatural of blues

and yellows—effective in discouraging

predators, experts presume.

In the world of animal wardrobes,

all these species are show-offs.

Yet color need not be part of the

plan. Black, white, and gray can offer

ample variety.

S

SECTION

PATTERN

The National

Geographic Society,

committed to illumi-

nating and protecting

the wonder of our

world, has been a

funder since 2012 of

the Photo Ark project

founded by National

Geographic Explorer

Joel Sartore. An author,

a teacher, and a con-

servationist as well as a

photographer, Sartore

created the 25-year

project—now the

National Geographic

Photo Ark—to use

images to inspire

people to help save

threatened species

and habitat.

ILLUSTRATION BY JOE MCKENDRY

A PHOTO ARK FULL

OF PATTERNS

BELOW: A lizard that

lives in Australia’s hot,

dry interior, the thorny

devil has a spiny,

armored exterior—but

it isn’t just for self-

defense. It also helps

the reptile capture

moisture from conden-

sation on its body.