Page 59 - Allah's Artistry in Colour

The whip snake of South East Asia lives in trees and is covered
with green scales. These scales, which cover the upper part of
the snake's body, are camouflaged to look like the patina of
lichens and algae that covers the trees.

The Australian leaf gecko usually
lives near trees, and closely re-
sembles bark. It rarely displays
its pale abdomen. Even the
lizard's eyes are well camou-
flaged. (left) In the case of this
leopard gecko from Pakistan, on-
ly the upper body imitates the
substratum upon which it might
be detected. The abdomen is al-
most entirely white, because the
small reptile is always careful
not to reveal that particular part
of its body. (above) 29