Five Camouflaged Creatures
1. Leaf Insect (Phylliidae)
These leaf-looking bugs are found in the tropical
areas and rainforests of South Asia. They are herbivores
that eat mainly mango and guava. Their camouflage
helps to protect them from their natural predators
- birds, amphibians, and reptiles. To see a leaf insect
crawling on someone's hand, click here.
These leaf-looking bugs are found in the tropical
areas and rainforests of South Asia. They are herbivores
that eat mainly mango and guava. Their camouflage
helps to protect them from their natural predators
- birds, amphibians, and reptiles. To see a leaf insect
crawling on someone's hand, click here.
2. Assassin Bug (Acanthaspis petax)
This particular kind of assassin bug collects
the carcasses of the ants it has killed and
carries them on its back. It can carry up
to 20 dead ants at one time. The pile
seems to protect the assassin bug from its natural predator - the
jumping spider. If you want to see a video, click here.
This particular kind of assassin bug collects
the carcasses of the ants it has killed and
carries them on its back. It can carry up
to 20 dead ants at one time. The pile
seems to protect the assassin bug from its natural predator - the
jumping spider. If you want to see a video, click here.
3. Satanic Leaf-Tail Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)
This super cool gecko is found only in
Madagascar. Satanic Leaf-tail Geckos
are about six inches long and eat a variety of small insects
including crickets and moths. They are nocturnal. To see a really
neat video about Leaf-Tailed Geckos, click here.
This super cool gecko is found only in
Madagascar. Satanic Leaf-tail Geckos
are about six inches long and eat a variety of small insects
including crickets and moths. They are nocturnal. To see a really
neat video about Leaf-Tailed Geckos, click here.
4. Peppered Moth (Biston betularia)
Can you find the moth in this picture?
Peppered Moths are found in Asia,
Europe, and North America. Around
the time of the Industrial Revolution, more black versions of
the Peppered Moth began to appear. Scientists believe that
this evolution of the moth helped to protect it from birds by
camouflaging it against the soot covered tree trunks. As air
quality improved, there were fewer black versions of the moth
and more white versions. To learn more, click here.
Can you find the moth in this picture?
Peppered Moths are found in Asia,
Europe, and North America. Around
the time of the Industrial Revolution, more black versions of
the Peppered Moth began to appear. Scientists believe that
this evolution of the moth helped to protect it from birds by
camouflaging it against the soot covered tree trunks. As air
quality improved, there were fewer black versions of the moth
and more white versions. To learn more, click here.
5. Lichen Spider (Pandercetes gracilis)
These spiders are found in Australia,
New Guinea, Maluku Islands, and Sulawesi.
They come in a variety of lichen colors.
They are almost impossible to see on
lichen covered surfaces. Be careful
where you step!
These spiders are found in Australia,
New Guinea, Maluku Islands, and Sulawesi.
They come in a variety of lichen colors.
They are almost impossible to see on
lichen covered surfaces. Be careful
where you step!