Page 228 - The Evolution Deceit

226 THE EV O LU TION DE CEIT

gence, skill, aesthetics and harmony.

Above: Tree louse im i tat ing tree thorns. Right above: A snake con ceal ing it self by sus -
pend ing it self among leaves. Right be low: A cat er pil lar set tled right in the mid dle of a
leaf to go un no ticed.

The camouflage techniques of animals are truly amazing. It is almost
impossible to identify an insect that is hidden in a tree trunk or another crea-
ture hidden under a leaf.
Leaf louse that suck the juices of plants feed themselves on plant stalks
by pretending to be thorns. By this method, they aim to trick birds, their
biggest enemies, and ensure that birds will not perch on these plants.

Cuttlefish
Under the skin of the cuttlefish is arrayed a dense layer of elastic pig-
ment sacs called chromatophores. They come mainly in yellow, red, black
and brown. At a signal, the cells expand and flood the skin with the appro-
priate shade. That is how the cuttlefish takes on the colour of the rock it
stands on and makes a perfect camouflage.