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Underwater Camouflage
Life underwater is very complex and humans still have a lot to learn about many of the species.
When we learn more about underwater camouflage, it should be known that the methods of achieving crypsis, not being seen, is important for both predators (those who hunt), or prey (those who are food). Underwater species, animals, are both predators and prey and that is why camouflage is so important for survival on both ends.
Water camouflage is VERY different from land camouflage.
When we learn more about underwater camouflage, it should be known that the methods of achieving crypsis, not being seen, is important for both predators (those who hunt), or prey (those who are food). Underwater species, animals, are both predators and prey and that is why camouflage is so important for survival on both ends.
Water camouflage is VERY different from land camouflage.
Essential Question:
Why do you think water camouflage is different from land camouflage?
Why do you think water camouflage is different from land camouflage?
Camouflage Vocabulary
Shape
- Definition: The outline or area of an object.
Texture
- Definition: The way something feels using your sense of touch or how you think it.
Size
- Definition: How big or small something is; how much space it takes up.
Color
- Definition: The pigmentation of something; the way something appears based on how it reflects light.
- Definition: The outline or area of an object.
Texture
- Definition: The way something feels using your sense of touch or how you think it.
Size
- Definition: How big or small something is; how much space it takes up.
Color
- Definition: The pigmentation of something; the way something appears based on how it reflects light.
How do fish use camouflage?
Our seas, oceans, lakes, and ponds are homogeneous (alike, the same, similar) with light always falling from above.
Essential Question:
What is the "light" we are referring to that is always falling from above?
Essential Question:
What is the "light" we are referring to that is always falling from above?
Three Main Methods of Camouflage in Water:
1. Transparency
- The most important and common in the top 100 meters of the ocean. - Shallow water Plankton |
Remember! There are 3 feet for every 1 meter 3ft = 1m |
Jellyfish
Comb Jelly
Essential Question:
How are Jellyfish different from Comb Jelly?
2. Reflection
- The most important in the top 100 meter of the ocean.
- Medium depths of water.
- Method called silvering when transparency is not achieved, like a mirror.
- Silvering is reflective, think of the orange or yellow construction vests people wear or the silver strip on construction barrels.
- The sunlight from above shines down through the water and reflects off of the fish to camouflage it.
- Cephalopods are included in this group too!
Sardine
Herring
Marine Hatchetfish
Essential Question:
Using camouflage specific vocabulary, how are the Herring and Marine Hatchetfish different?
3. Counterillumination
- The main method from 100 meters down to 1,000 meters.
- Camouflage becomes less important in the dark waters below 1,000 meters.
- The underside of the animal glows, illuminates, to look like the surface of the water.
- The main method from 100 meters down to 1,000 meters.
- Camouflage becomes less important in the dark waters below 1,000 meters.
- The underside of the animal glows, illuminates, to look like the surface of the water.
Sparkling Enope Squid
Other Types of Camouflage
Essential Question: What other marine life has countershading?
Essential Question: What other marine life has mimicry?