10 Animals That Can Change Color
Published by From the smallest to the biggest, there are species in the animal kingdom that can change their skin coloring not only for camouflage but for other important reasons.
image by prilfish via Flickr cc
Cuttlefish are mollusks that have the amazing ability to quickly change skin color anytime they want to. They do this to talk to other cuttlefish and to camouflage themselves from their enemies. Their color changing abilities are made possible by specialized pigment cells called chromatophores, iridophores and leucophores. Cuttlefish also have the remarkable capability to affect the lights polarization as it reflects off their skin.
Octopus
image by Noel Feans via Flickr cc
To protect themselves from predators, octopuses will hide, do a fast escape, squirt ink, amputate their own limbs or simply camouflage. Like its relative, the cuttlefish, an octopus disguise is made possible by pigment-containing and light-reflecting cells which can also be used to communicate with family members. To achieve greater camouflage, octopuses can use their skin muscles to transform the texture of their mantle to make them obtain the spiky appearance of a seaweed, or the scraggly, bumpy texture of a rock.
Tuatara
The tuatara of New Zealand is said to be one of the most unique animal in the planet. They are referred to as “living fossils” as their closest relatives are a group of reptiles that lived during the dinosaur age. Tuataras color range from olive green to brown to orange-red—changing its color throughout its lifetime for reasons still unknown. Adults shed their skin (molting) at least once a year while juveniles up to four times.
Peron’s Tree Frog
LiquidGhoul/Wikimedia
The general color of this Australian frog is mottled brown or grey with yellow and black patterns on its thighs, armpits and groin. It has a high pitched machine gun-like cackle, giving two of its common names: “Laughing Tree Frog,” and “Maniacal Cackle Frog”. Occasionally, they also have emerald spots on the back that multiplies with age, giving them another one of their common name, the “Emerald Spotted Tree Frog.” The Peron’s Tree Frog change color from shades of grey and brown to almost white within seconds depending on temperature, light and moisture.
Crab Spider
Misumena vatia is the largest species of flower spider in North America. These spiders have the unique ability to conceal themselves by changing color from white to yellow. The camouflage is done by emitting a yellow liquid pigment into the outer cell layer of its body. The color change from yellow to white takes about six days and the reverse between 10 to 25 days. The white to yellow color change takes much longer since the yellow pigment needs to be produced first.
Golden Tortoise Beetle
image by Charles Lam via Flickr cc
The staple of this North American bug are morning glory leaves. The microscopic valves which controls the moisture levels under the shell makes their golden color turn into red with black spots. Many family members also have black markings which hide the original colors to a range of hues.
Chameleon
image by walknboston via Flickr cc
These slow moving lizards are the best known creatures with color changing abilities. Contrary to popular belief, chameleons don’t typically change color for reasons of camouflage, but rather as a way of communication, including attraction to potential mates. Chameleons have specialized pigment cells called chromatophores which can quickly reposition, thus controlling the color of the lizard which include pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, yellow and turquoise .
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Liked it
On August 1, 2010 at 5:49 am
Very cool article!
On August 1, 2010 at 6:26 am
Never knew about some of them. Thanks for the list.
On August 1, 2010 at 11:14 am
The wonders of God’s creation.. I wonder how we would look if humans changed colors. Gusto ko pink. Hehe..
On August 1, 2010 at 10:14 pm
People too…. especially on a sunny day!
On August 1, 2010 at 11:27 pm
I was under the impression that only chameleons change color. Wow…
On August 1, 2010 at 11:52 pm
These animal are amazing.
On August 3, 2010 at 6:53 am
Awesome. An interesting post, friend.
On August 3, 2010 at 9:29 am
madalang ka lang mag-post pero, ganda naman. Loke it much JK.
On August 4, 2010 at 11:14 pm
On December 1, 2010 at 5:10 am
Have same thoughts as Likha. Just imagine us humans changing color…green with envy, red with anger, blue with sadness….interesting no? There are lovely and colorful animals.
On February 22, 2011 at 5:15 pm
There isnt even ten animals
On March 14, 2012 at 3:14 pm
estan chidas los anomales