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Turbot fish (Scophthalmus maximus) camouflaged against a gravel seabed, its mottled body blending closely with the surrounding texture and color.
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background matching

biology
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Quick Summary

Turbot fish (Scophthalmus maximus) camouflaged against a gravel seabed, its mottled body blending closely with the surrounding texture and color.
Flatfish Background matching by a flatfish on a sandy bottom floor.

Background matching is a biological adaptation where animals use their coloration to blend in with their surroundings, making them harder for predators to spot or for prey to detect. This strategy helps animals avoid recognition by resembling their environment in color, shape, or movement.12

Examples include:
* Transparent or minimally pigmented fish eggs and larvae in the open sea.2
* Flatfish that can change their coloration to match the seabed they rest on.2
* Decorator crabs that attach materials from their environment to their bodies for camouflage.12

This form of camouflage is a crucial aspect of survival, enabling organisms to effectively conceal themselves within their habitats.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. concealing coloration
  2. adaptation
  3. coloration - Background matching

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