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Other predators come equipped
with a kind of in-built
camouflage toolkit, and can
re-distribute, intensify or dilute
pigments in their tissues to
match their backgroundsABOVE Frogfish come in all
shapes and sizes, each one
perfectly adapted for hiding
on the reef
LEFT Crocodile
flatheads make great
subjects for underwater
photography, if you can
find them – even their
eyes are camouflaged!RIGHT PAGE
Flounders are
another stealth
predator blending
perfectly with the
sandy sea floorof sunlight falling on its immediate
surroundings. And so, the positions
and movements of a hunting predator
in camouflage are rarely an accident
or coincidental. More often than not,
the predator’s every move is carefully
calculated before execution, ensuring
that it constantly blends in.THE ART OF BLENDING IN
As it turns out, the crocodilefish we
had seen was “background matching”
as a form of disguise, using prominent
structures in its vicinity to blend in.
While being very much present, it
remained almost entirely out of sight.
To achieve such exceptional results
these camouflaging predators need
to pay close attention not just to the
movement of sunlight but also the
brightness, contrasts and patterns of
objects they want to resemble.
Sometimes, animals can change
the texture and contours of their body
and masquerade as other plants and
animals. A frogfish often convincingly
fools us when it mimics a brightly
coloured sponge or urchin. Their plump
and irregular shape breaks up their
fish-like outline, keeping them hidden in
plain view despite their bright colours.
As if this weren’t enough, many have
a handy-looking “rod and lure” on
their forehead. Unsuspecting prey that
venture too close to the worm-like lure
get swallowed before they even become
aware of the presence of their predator.