- By Ridam Sharma
- Sat, 14 Jun 2025 04:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Animal Colour Change: Nature is full of surprises, and one of the most astonishing highlights about it is the creatures that live in it, especially the ones that change their colours for survival. Surprisingly, not many people know that a chameleon is not the only animal which can change its colour. These animals exist on land, sea and even in the sky. This adaptability to change their colours allows animals to escape from predators, stalk prey, communicate, and even control their body temperature. To learn more, here’s a list of 11 animals that can change colour for survival, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine.
List Of Animals That Change Colour For Survival:
Chameleon:
The chameleon is one of the most popular animals that is known for its colour-changing ability. It uses its chromatophores to change colours between bright greens, blues, reds, and browns, as per its surroundings. Chameleons not just change colour for the camouflage effect but also to signal mates and to control body temperature.
Octopus:
Octopuses are the ultimate escape artists. By manipulating three types of skin cells, they can instantly match the colour, pattern, and even texture of their surroundings. The mimic octopus takes this a step further by impersonating sea snakes, lionfish, and more to avoid predators.
Cuttlefish:
Cuttlefish is popularly known as the Chameleons Of The Sea. It have the capability of creating spectacular colour shifts in a matter of milliseconds. They use this talent for hypnotising prey, for mating communication, and for invisibility when faced with danger.
Also Read: List Of Top 10 Countries With Best Animal Rights In The World: Know Where India Ranks
Arctic Fox:
Arctic Fox is an astute mammal that changes its colour from brown in summer and grey in winter to match the snowy white and stays safe from predators and other hunting rivals.
Flounder:
Flounders rest flat on the sea floor, altering their skin to blend with sand, pebbles, or coral. They're almost invisible to predators and prey because of their exceptional art of camouflage.
Golden Tortoise Beetle:
This small Golden Tortoise Beetle can change from metallic gold to dull red and confuse predators. The change has occurred due to fluctuations in layers of fluid under its see-through shell.
Crab Spider:
Crab spiders can switch between yellow and white to camouflage in flowers, becoming invisible to predators as well as prey. Others even diffuse pigments to help the cause.
Rock Ptarmigan:
Rock Ptarmigan is a bird of the Arctic that moults thrice annually, changing from brown to white to camouflage in rocky or snowy backgrounds and avoid predators throughout the year.
Also Read: 50+ Fun What Am I? Animal Riddles With Answers For Kids: Guess The Animal Game
Seahorse:
Seahorses blend with corals and seagrass, becoming a different colour while courting or stressed, making them less noticeable to predators.
Pacific Tree Frog:
The frogs can change colour between green and brown, a subtle but useful means of camouflage for shifting environments.
Mimic Octopus:
In addition to colour shift, this octopus can even mimic the shape and motion of other sea animals, leading predators to believe it's something harmful.
These unique adaptations of changing colour are the outcome of millions of years of evolutionary development, and they provide the advantages necessary for animals to survive in a world, which is prone to threats and possibilities.