Page 62 - Allah's Artistry in Colour

These snow grouse are examples of how camouflage
can change according to season.

the legs, ear and nose, which are the most sensi-
tive parts of the body, are dark coloured. Dark
coloured hairs provide more heat energy for ani-
mals thus helping them to warm easier, just like
humans who try to benefit from the sun better by
wearing dark coloured clothes in winter. Colour
change is very common in land animals. For ex-
ample, in summer, the fur of the northern fox turns white, because their body
temperature is high. In winters, however, as it becomes colder, their body
temperature drops and a more suitable environment for the enzymes to work
easily is provided. For this reason, in winters, the fur of the northern fox
darkens. Rabbits, foxes, weasels, and polecats living in northern latitudes
turn brown in summer and white in winter.
While some birds become completely white in winter months, they take
on a new appearance in spring matching the colour of the ground and vege-
tation.

Warning Colours
Living creatures make use of colour for varied purposes. Using it as a
mean of warning is one of these purposes. In the following pages, we will
give some examples of this.