Why Do Some Animals Change Color?

Some animals can change their colors to hide or show off. Just like you might wear a different shirt depending on what you're doing, these animals use special cells in their skin called chromatophores that can switch between bright and dull colors. A chameleon is one example, it changes its color so it looks like the background, helping it hide from predators or surprise prey.

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Examples

  1. A chameleon changes its color when it sees a bird nearby.
  2. An octopus turns white to look like a sea sponge.
  3. A cuttlefish flashes bright colors to scare away a predator.

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