Many species change their colour or pattern due to the diversity of the animal kingdom. Camouflage, shock predators and even hypnotizing prey are the main reasons. Chameleons are the best example. Their colour changes occur due to their mood, which is usually caused by anger or aggression and moisture, light and temperature factors. Here’s a list of color-changing animals around the globe.
1.Pacific tree frog
The Pacific chorus frog, also known as the Pacific tree frog, is most commonly seen in the Pacific Northwest. It can be found in areas such as Northern California, Oregon and Washington, Canada, British Columbia, Canada, and extreme southern Alaska. It can change its color from green to red, green, brown, and green depending on its surroundings. It can also be used to defend themselves against predators.
2.Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are known to be the master camouflagelagers of the ocean. There are 120 species of cuttlefish known to exist. Each fish has eight arms and two tentacles that can be extended. In less than one second, it changes its color to match the surroundings. They can also change their colour when they swim between corals and rocks in water. This is useful in catching prey. The color changing phenomenon is even more amazing when you realize that they are colourblind. There are three hearts in the species. Two of them pump blood to the gills, while the third circulates oxygen. The species lives between 1 and 2 years.
3.Chameleons
One of the most well-known color changing animals is the Chameleon. Their moods, light, temperature and humidity are all factors that affect their behavior. Chameleons are unique in that they can turn their eyes 180 degrees independently, so they can see 360 degrees when needed. This is useful in identifying predators that are attaching or coming from the backside. There are currently 59 unique species of chameleons that are only found on Madagascar and not anywhere else in the world. A total of 150 chameleons have been documented around the world, divided into four genera: Brookesia Brookesia Chamaeleo and Rhampholeon. Researchers and scientists have also identified two additional genera Calumma, Furcifer that may contain additional
4.Golden Tortoise Beetle
The Golden Tortoise Beetle, scientifically called Charidotella suspunctata, is a species that belonged to the Chrysomelidae family of leaf beetles. It can grow to approximately 5 to 7mm in length. They are most common in eastern North America, west to Texas and Iowa. It is one of three species of tortoisebeetles found in Florida. They are commonly called golden bugs. When threatened, it changes colour to goldish orange. The process will take between 2 and 3 minutes and can even surprise or disguise the predator. The battle consumes the leaves of plants like morning glory, bindweeds and sweet potato.
5.Flounder
One of the flatfishes is the flounder. There are currently 30 species of flounder in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It can be found on the ocean floor close to coral reefs, bridge piles and docks. The flatfish can grow to 5 to 25 inches long, with females being larger than the males. Flatfish are brown-coloured and have various red, orange and green markings on their bodies. They can change their color within a matter of seconds, depending on their environment and habitat. When they move to new habitats or locations, their markings and colour can change. In the wild, their lifespan is between 3 and 10 years.
6.Giant Pacific Octopus
Giant Pacific Octopus, also known as the “color changing” giant octopus, is found in the Northern Pacific Ocean regions from Japan to Alaska and California. It is a member of the Octopoda family. It can grow to approximately 16 feet in size when fully grown, and it weighs around 110 pounds. The largest recorded species is 600 pounds and measures 30 feet in length. It can change its colour within a fraction of a second, and can be seen underwater at depths of 330 feet (100 meters). They live for 2 to 3 years and have between 2,140 and 2,240 suction cups in their arms. This gives them a strong grip, sense, and smell. The species is most commonly seen in reddish brown, but it can change color due to special pigment cells found in its skin. This changes the texture of the skin and helps in camouflaging.
7.Flower crab spider
One of 27 species of crab spiders is the flower crab spider, which can be found in the UK’s south. It can change the color of its body to match the environment and protect itself against predators. This species isn’t as common as other crab species. They don’t use webs to trap insects. The globular, swollen abdomen of a flower crab spider is easy to identify. It may also have lines or spots. The majority of the spider is white with longer front legs and stronger rear legs. The flower crab spider females are larger than the male species. Females can grow to 9-11mm in length, while males can reach 3-4mm.
8.Arctic Fox
The Arctic Fox is the smallest member of the canine family. It is also known as the world’s tundra animal. There are 5 subspecies known to exist of the Arctic fox, most commonly found in the Arctic Circle. Arctic foxes can be found in Iceland and Greenland as well as Russia, Canada, Alaska, Northern Europe, Russia and Canada. The Arctic fox can grow to approximately 26 inches in height and weighs between 6.5 and 17 pounds. They blend well with rocks because of their colour change. These seasonal variations allow them to camouflage. It has a round body, small ears and short legs. In the wild, the species lives for 3 to 6 years.
9.Mimic Octopus
Mimic Octopus was able to fool predators by imitating the behavior of marine animals like sea snakes, lionfishes, stingrays, and jellyfish. They are a small, solitary species that can reach up to 2 feet in length. It can be found in Southeast Asia. Most of them live on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. They thrive in warm, muddy waters. After giving birth, the females die and their young are left to care for themselves. They can change their color to adjust to the environment and also mimic the animal they are trying to imitate.
10.Seahorse
The seahorse, a marine fish, is one of 35 species that live in tropical and temperate waters around the globe. The seahorse prefers to swallow water, so it is often found near coral reefs and mangrove forests. This is a tiny species and can grow to 0.6-14 inches in length. It has a horse-like head, curled tail, and elongated bodies. It was able to alter its body colour to suit its environment. There are very few species that can do this under stressful conditions. In captivity and wild, the average lifespan is between one and five years.